Flexible Community Care - Barnet

Updated 13 February 2019

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 15 January 2019 and was announced. We informed the provider 48 hours in advance of our visit that we would be inspecting. This was to ensure there was somebody at the location to facilitate our inspection. The service first became operational in April 2018. This was the first inspection of the service.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Before the inspection we checked the information we held about the service. This included any notifications, such as safeguarding alerts. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. Prior to the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This 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.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and nominated individual (A Nominated Individual has responsibility for supervising the way that the regulated activity is managed. They should be an employed director, manager or secretary of the organisation). We looked at two care plans, three recruitment files, accidents, incidents, safeguarding records, complaints and policies and procedures. After our inspection we spoke with one care worker and two relatives of people who used the service.

Updated 13 February 2019

Flexible Community Care provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live 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 our inspection, two people were using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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 was safe and people were protected from harm. Care workers were knowledgeable about safeguarding adults from abuse and what to do if they had any concerns and how to report them. Safeguarding training was given to all staff.

Risk assessments were thorough and personalised.

Staffing levels were meeting the needs of the people who used the service and care workers demonstrated they had the relevant knowledge to support people with their care.

Recruitment practices were safe and records confirmed this.

Newly recruited care workers received an induction. Training was provided on a regular basis and updated when relevant, including specialised training to support people with specific needs.

People were supported with maintaining a balanced diet.

People were supported to have access to healthcare services and receive on-going support. Referrals to healthcare professionals were made appropriately and a multi-disciplinary approach was adopted to support people.

Positive relationships were formed between care workers. People’s relatives told us care workers were caring and treated them with respect.

Care plans were detailed and contained relevant information about people who used the service and their needs such as their preferences and communication needs.

Staff felt supported by the registered manager and the culture of the service was open, with regular communication.

Quality assurance practices were robust and taking place regularly.