St Helens Supported Living Service provides care and support to people living in 28 supported living settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. At the time of the inspection 13 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good.

The service met all relevant fundamental standards.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service maintained effective systems to safeguard people from abuse. Staff were aware of what to look out for and how to report any concerns. Individual risk was fully assessed and reviewed.

Staff were safely recruited and deployed in sufficient numbers to provide safe, consistent care and support.

Medicines were stored and administered in accordance with best-practice guidelines. Where errors had been identified, the service had taken immediate action to improve practice. For example, re-issuing guidance and organising re-training.

The service trained staff to a high standard in appropriate subjects and provided regular supervision and appraisal.

People were supported by staff to maintain their health and wellbeing through access to a wide range of community healthcare services and specialists. People receiving care told us that staff accompanied them on visits to healthcare professionals as required.

The service operated in accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). It was clear from care records and discussions with people that their consent was always sought in relation to care and treatment.

People told us that staff treated them with kindness and respect. Staff knew people, their needs and preferences well and provided care accordingly. People had their care needs met in a personalised way and plans were subject to regular review.

People understood how to make a complaint if they were dissatisfied with the service. We checked the records in relation to concerns and complaints. There were a small number of complaints recorded in the previous 12 months. Each had been addressed in accordance with the provider’s policy and included a written response.

People spoke very positively about the management of the service and the approachability of senior staff.

The service had a clear vision to provide high-quality, responsive, person-centred care. This was reflected in promotional materials, surveys and the discussions we had with staff. Staff and managers spoke with great enthusiasm about their roles and were able to provide evidence to support the inspection as required.

People using the service and staff were actively involved in discussions about the service and were asked to share their views. This was achieved through meetings and regular surveys.

We saw evidence that the service worked effectively with other health and social care agencies to achieve better outcomes for people and improve quality and safety.

Ratings from the previous inspection were displayed as required.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

We visited the homes of two people who were receiving support from St Helens Supported Living Service. Both people had limited verbal communication and we observed that staff had a good understanding of their communication needs. With the support of staff, the people we spent time with conveyed to us that they were satisfied with the service they received.

Clear arrangements for recruiting staff were in place with appropriate checks carried out for each new member of staff. A training programme was in place for staff. Relevant processes were in place for monitoring the safety and quality of the service.

This was an unannounced inspection that took place on the 7, 10 & 13 August 2015. In addition to the three visits we contact a number of people by telephone on the 21 August 2015 to gain their opinions of the service.

St Helens Supported Living Service provides support to people; who live in their own homes in Sorigold Close in the St Helens area. Part of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Group, the service provides personal care and general support to enable people to carry out daily living activities and to live independently in the community. At the time of this inspection 15 people were in receipt of personal care from the service.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. We discussed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with the registered manager. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is legislation designed to protect people who are unable to make decisions for themselves and to ensure that any decisions are made in people’s best interests. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of this legislation and ensures where someone may be deprived of their liberty, the least restrictive option is taken. The registered manager demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where appropriate DoLS and people’s best interest had been considered appropriately.

People told us that they felt safe. Staff were aware of how to raise any safeguarding concerns they had.

People told us that they had received their medicines on time. Systems were in place to check that people’s medicines were managed appropriately by the staff team.

Prior to a person using the service a full needs assessment is undertaken. This helped to ensure that the service was able to meet people’s needs in full. Identified risk to people’s care and support were assessed and planned for to help ensure they received safe care.

People were supported by a staff team who received regular training and support from their manager. Staff told us that they felt supported by the registered manager and team leader for the service.

People told us that staff were caring and that their privacy and dignity was respected.

The service offered a person centred approach to planning and delivering care and support. People had the opportunity to meet with their keyworker to discuss the support they required on a regular basis and make plans for the future.

People and their relatives were aware of how to raise a concern or make a complaint about the service. They told us they were confident that their concerns would be listened to.

Regular audits of the service helped ensure that any areas of improvement needed were quickly identified and planned for.