Archived: Pioneering Independence

Updated 6 July 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector, took place on 27 April 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a domiciliary care agency and we needed to be sure someone would be present in the office.

Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

People had limited verbal communication and were unable to tell us about their views of the service. We visited people briefly at their home to observe the care being provided by the staff team but did not stay long to reduce the risk of causing undue anxiety to people.

During the inspection we spoke with the nominated individual, the registered manager and three members of staff. After the inspection we contacted two further members of staff, two relatives, a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist, who had knowledge of people who received support from Pioneering Independence.

We looked at one record related to people’s individual care needs. This record included support plans, risk assessments and daily monitoring records. We also looked at all records related to the administration of medicines, three staff recruitment files and records associated with the management of the service, including quality audits.

Updated 6 July 2016

The inspection took place on 27 April 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours notice because the location was a domiciliary care agency and we needed to be sure that someone would be present in the office.

Pioneering Independence provides a support service to people living in their own home. On the day of the inspection one person was supported by Pioneering Independence with their personal care needs.

The service had a registered manager 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.

Staff put people at the heart of their work; they spoke with affection about people and described their dedication to providing high quality care and support to the people they supported. Strong relationships had been developed and staff spoke with pride about the things they had supported people to achieve. Staff were highly motivated, creative in finding ways to overcome obstacles that restricted people’s independence and had an in-depth appreciation of how to respect people’s individual needs around their privacy and dignity.

Care records were personalised and gave people control over all aspects of their lives. Staff responded quickly to people’s change in needs. People and where appropriate those who mattered to them, were involved in regularly reviewing their needs and how they would like to be supported. People’s preferences were identified and respected.

People’s risks were managed well and monitored. People were promoted to live full and active lives and were supported to be as independent as possible. Activities were meaningful and reflected people’s interests and individual hobbies.

People had their medicines managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed and received them on time.

People were supported to maintain good health through regular access to healthcare professionals, such as GPs, social workers and speech and language therapists.

All staff had undertaken training on safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse, they displayed good knowledge on how to report any concerns and described what action they would take to protect people against harm. Staff told us they felt confident any incidents or allegations would be fully investigated.

People were protected by the service’s safe recruitment practices. Staff underwent the necessary checks which determined they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults before they started their employment.

People were supported to maintain relationships with those who mattered to them. People and those who mattered to them knew how to raise concerns and make complaints although no written complaints had been made to the service.

Staff described the management as supportive and approachable. Staff talked positively about their jobs. Staff received a comprehensive induction programme. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were appropriately trained and had the correct skills to carry out their roles effectively.

Staff understood their role with regards the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Applications were made and advice was sought to help safeguard people and protect their human rights.

There were effective quality assurance systems in place. Incidents were appropriately recorded and analysed. Learning from incidents and concerns raised was used to help drive improvements and ensure positive progress was made in the delivery of care and support provided by the service.