IOTA CARE

Updated 25 January 2020

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One Inspector carried out this inspection. The inspection took place on the 03 and 04 December 2019.

Service and service type

Iota Care is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At the time of the inspection the service had appointed a new manager to oversee the day- to -day running of the service. The previous registered manager had taken up a new senior management role within the organisation. The new manager was present throughout the inspection and was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission.

The inspection took place on the 03 and 04 December 2019 and was unannounced on the first day.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who commission services from the provider. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR) This is information providers are required to send us with key information about the service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

We met and spoke with two people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff, which included two directors/providers, the manager and manage two care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, daily monitoring reports, medicines records and incident reports. We looked at the records of two members of staff in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality audits, policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with two relatives on the phone and sought feedback from four health and social care professionals.

Updated 25 January 2020

About the service

Iota Care Limited provides care and accommodation for up to four people with a learning disability and/or autism. At the time of the inspection two people were living at the service. Accommodation is provided within a large residential property with facilities, including communal lounges, bedrooms and bathrooms located over two floors. There is a large communal kitchen and access to an enclosed garden area.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Iota care placed people at the heart of the service. People received care and support that was exceptionally personalised, taking into account their specific needs, wishes, goals and aspirations. Management and staff were skilled at supporting people to transition from children to adult services. The manager told us, “IOTA stands for Independence, Opportunity and Transition into adulthood. Relatives told us they had been fully involved in the planning of their loved one’s care as they moved into adult life and said the support had impacted positively on them and the individual concerned.

People were provided with sensitive and compassionate support by a kind, committed and caring staff team. We observed without exception staff treating people with the upmost kindness and respect. The staff team were passionate about respecting people’s privacy, dignity and independence, and there was a strong emphasis on social inclusion and equality.

The provider, management and staff were exceptional at understanding and responding to people’s communication needs. Innovative methods had been used to help people communicate their wishes and to understand and make choices about their care and lifestyle.

The positive and friendly interactions we observed between people and staff told us that people felt safe and comfortable in their home. Relatives told us they felt their loved ones were safe living at Iota Care. Other agencies told us, “I have found the care that people receive to be safe and effective.”

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Risks relating to people’s care and lifestyle were assessed and safely managed. People were supported to take positive risks to maximise their independence and choice.

There was a positive, open and inclusive culture within the service. The management team provided strong leadership and led by example. There was a strong focus on continuous improvement. People, relatives, staff and other agencies were very positive about the leadership of the service. Exceptionally good governance of the service benefitted people because it ensured the quality of the care was maintained and enhanced.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 01 June 2017). We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.