- Homecare service
Supported Living West Midlands
Report from 21 May 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 13 June to 29 July 2024. Supported Living West Midlands is part of a national organisation (Forward Plus West Midlands Ltd) which provides care to people with learning disabilities living in different communities. The Sutton Coldfield office manages supported living services for people living in the area of Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham. The assessment was completed in line with Right Care Right Support Right Culture. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. Right support: Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff knew how to report concerns. Care plans contained relevant, up to date information. People received their medicines as prescribed and medicine protocols were in place. Staff were recruited safely and had completed mandatory training. Right care: Staff knew people and their needs well. People and, where appropriate, their relatives were involved in reviewing people’s care needs. Mental capacity assessments and best interest documentation had not always been recorded clearly, to demonstrate people, their relatives and advocates were involved in the decision-making process. However, we observed staff offering people choices and supporting people in a way that promoted their independence. Right culture: Quality assurance measures ensured a culture of improvement. Staff meetings and supervision took place. Audits were not always effective in identifying issues with mental capacity and best interest documentation. At the time of the assessment, 13 people were receiving personal care.
People's experience of this service
People told us they felt safe and that they liked the staff members supporting them. Relatives felt the service had improved since the current registered manager had been in post and were confident improvements would continue under the current management structure. People received personalised care and support in accordance with their needs, wishes and protected characteristics. People and relatives spoke positively about the caring attitude and empathy shown by staff. People felt safe and comfortable in the presence of carers. A person-centred approach was taken to the management of risks. People were supported to have an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing. People were supported and received care from staff who knew them well, understood their needs and preferences. People’s care records reflected their needs and promoted their wellbeing. People and those important to them, were involved in planning their care. People were fully supported to live a life of their choice and to increase their independence where possible.