About the service: CHADD Supported Independent Living Service provides domiciliary care services. This is provided in the context of sheltered flat tenancies situated in a single building facility. The facility offers aspects of communal living for people experiencing challenges with their mental health.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were safeguarded from harm by staff who were knowledgeable about the different types of abuse. People had personalised risk assessments in place which took into account their needs and preferences. People were supported to maintain their independence and achieve realistic goals. This improved people's independent living skills and overall sense of wellbeing.

People were supported to take their medicines by trained staff. Medicines were reviewed by professionals regularly with people and staff. This ensured people received medicines as they were prescribed and required them.

Staff received training in relation to people's needs. This enabled staff to better understand people's physical and mental health. People were supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle. People had access to health professionals for additional support. This supported people to remain well.

People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff who knew them well. People told us their privacy and dignity was respected.

The service responded to people's feedback about their care. This enabled people to feel confident in raising concerns.

The management team worked alongside people and staff to promote a positive culture at the service. This supported people to feel comfortable at the service.

Rating at last inspection: CHADD was rated as ‘Good’ at their last inspection. Report published on the 04 November 2016.

Why we inspected: This was an announced, scheduled inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Further inspections will be planned for future dates.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

This announced inspection took place on 30 September 2016 with phone calls made to people using the service and their relatives on 7 October 2016. The provider had 48 hours notice that an inspection would take place so we could ensure staff would be available to answer any questions we had and provide the information that we needed. The service had previously been a residential care home and had changed its registration on 14 April 2015 to become a supported living service. This was the first time we had inspected the new service.

CHADD Supported Independent Living Services are registered to deliver personal care. They provide care to people within their own homes. At the time of our inspection 13 people were accessing this service.

The service had a registered manager. 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 supported people in a way that made them feel safe. Staff understood the procedures they should follow if they witnessed or suspected that a person was being abused or harmed. Criminal records checks were undertaken before staff were able to begin their role. People were supported to take their medication at the appropriate times..

Staff had the skills and knowledge required to support people effectively. Staff received a detailed induction prior to them working for the service and they felt prepared to do their job. Staff could access on-going comprehensive training and regular supervision to assist them in their role. Staff knew how to support people in line with the Mental Capacity Act and gained their consent before assisting or supporting them. Staff assisted people to access food and drink and encouraged people to eat healthily. Staff supported people’s healthcare needs.

People were involved in making their own decisions about their care and their own specific needs. People felt listened to, had the information they needed and were consulted about their care. Staff provided dignity and respect to people. People were encouraged to retain a high level of independence with staff there ready to support them if they needed help.

People’s preferences for how they wished to receive support were known and always considered by the care staff. Staff understood people’s needs and provided specific care that met their preferences. People knew how to raise complaints or concerns and felt that they would be listened to and the appropriate action would be taken.

People were happy with the service they received and felt the service was led in an appropriate way. Staff were well supported in their roles. Staff felt that their views or opinions were listened to. Quality assurance audits were carried out to look for patterns and trends that may impact upon how the service is delivered.