Tameside Link

Updated 17 August 2018

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 took place on 30 July 2018 and was carried out by an adult social care inspector. In line with our inspection methodology we gave short notice of the inspection visit. We gave the provider three days’ notice of our inspection. This was because the service supports people in the community and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to assist us with our inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included the statutory notifications the CQC had received from the provider and the Provider Information Return (PIR). Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send to us without delay. A PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

Prior to the inspection we contacted the local authority and Healthwatch to ask if they had any concerns about the service. We did not receive any feedback about the service. Healthwatch is the national independent champion for consumers and users of health and social care in England.

During our visit we spoke with the registered manager, one person who used the service, four relatives and two support workers. We also spoke with one support worker on the telephone.

As part of the inspection we looked at four sets of care records. These included support plans, risk assessments, daily notes and medicines records. We reviewed other information about the service, including training and supervision records, two staff personnel files and quality assurance records.

Updated 17 August 2018

Tameside Link provides support to people with learning disabilities in and around Ashton-under-Lyne. The service provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own homes as independently as possible. 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 time of the inspection the service was supporting five people in a supported living setting. Tameside Link also provides an outreach service to people living in the community. However, this was not part of the scope of this inspection.

The service has been developed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. By following these principles, services can support people with learning disabilities and autism to live as ordinary a life as any other citizen.

At our last inspection in February 2017 we identified a continued breach of Regulation 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because the service was not always working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of any of the regulations.

Systems were in place to help safeguard people from abuse. Staff knew how to identify signs of abuse and what action to take to protect people they supported. Risk assessments had been completed to show how people should be supported with everyday risks, while promoting their independence. Recruitment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. People were looked after by small teams of staff who were committed to providing support in a person-centred and caring way.

A safe system of medicine management was in place. Records showed that staff received training and competency assessments before they were permitted to administer medicines.

Staff had undergone training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to support people safely. All staff received regular supervision. This gave them the opportunity to discuss their work, reflect on what was working well for the person they supported and plan any changes that were needed.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were encouraged and helped to make their own choices where able, such as what they would like to eat and wear and what activities they would like to do. People were supported to take part in a range of recreational activities both inside and outside their home.

Staff worked closely with health and social care professionals to ensure people were supported to maintain good health and remain as independent as possible. People's support plans contained detailed information about their preferred routines, likes and dislikes and how they wished to be supported. People and their families were involved with planning and reviewing their care. This ensured it was tailored to meet their needs.

The service had a formal process for handling complaints and concerns. We saw that complaints had been dealt with appropriately.

The service was well-managed. The registered manager and chief executive provided good leadership of the service and were committed to maintaining and improving standards. Audits and quality checks were undertaken on a regular basis and any issues or concerns addressed with appropriate actions.