The Coquet Trust provides personal care and support including overnight care to adults with learning and physical disabilities. People may live in their own homes, with their relatives, or in their own tenancies within supported living arrangements.

At the last inspection in December 2014 we had rated the service as 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good' and met each of the fundamental standards we inspected.

People were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. When new staff were appointed thorough vetting checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support. People told us they were safe. There were enough staff to provide individual care and support to people.

Staff had received training and had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Best Interest Decision Making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves. There were other opportunities for staff to receive training to meet people’s care needs.

People were involved in decisions about their care. They were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Information was made available in a format that helped people to understand. This included a complaints procedure. Complaints were taken seriously and records maintained of the action taken by the service in response to any form of dissatisfaction or concern. People we spoke with said they knew how to complain.

People had food and drink to meet their needs. Some people were assisted by staff to plan their menu, shop for the ingredients and cook their own food. Other people received meals that had been cooked by staff. People were appropriately supported to maintain their health and they received their medicines in a safe way. Those who were able, were supported to manage their own medicines.

People were provided with opportunities to follow their interests and hobbies and they were introduced to new activities. They were supported to contribute and to be part of the local community. Staff had developed good relationships with people, were caring in their approach and treated people with respect. People and relatives were positive about the care provided. One relative told us “I would recommend it to anyone.”

A range of systems were in place to monitor and review the quality and effectiveness of the service. People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people or family members and their views were used to improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

We were not able to communicate properly with the people who use the service due to communications difficulties that are part of their condition. However we observed that the two people we did visit in their own homes interacted well with the staff and there was mutual respect between staff and the people in their care. Staff were seen to take their lead from the people in their own home, and seen to offer them the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.

This was an unannounced inspection carried out over two days on 8 and 17 December 2014.

We last inspected Coquet Trust in September 2013. At that inspection we found the service was meeting all of its legal requirements.

Coquet Trust is registered to provide personal care to adults with learning disabilities. People are supported by staff to live individually in their own homes or in small groups, referred to as independent supported living schemes. Different levels of support are provided over the 24 hour period dependent upon people’s requirements. Many of the people are tenants of their home and pay rent for their accommodation which is leased from housing associations. The main Trust office is accessible for people to visit.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.”

Due to their health conditions and complex needs not all of the people who used the service were able to share their views about the support they received.

People told us they felt safe. They were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. Staff were aware of the whistle blowing procedure which was in place to report concerns and poor practice. When new staff were appointed thorough checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support.

People received their medicines in a safe and timely way. People who were able, were supported to manage their own medicines.

Staff had received training and had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and 'best interest' decision making, when people were unable to make decisions for themselves. People who had capacity told us staff asked their permission when providing care and support.

Staff told us they received regular training and they were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs.

People who used the service had food and drink to meet their needs. Some people were assisted by staff to plan their menu and cook their own food. Other people received meals that had been cooked by staff.

People we spoke with were appreciative and spoke well of the care provided by staff. Comments included; “The staff are kind, they talk to me every day.” Staff are respectful they listen to me.” “All the staff are nice to me.” A relative commented; “I speak very highly of Coquet Trust staff.”

Staff knew the people they were supporting well and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care.

Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and involved other professionals as required for specialist advice to meet people’s needs.

People told us they were supported to go on holiday and to be part of the local community. They were provided with opportunities to follow their interests and hobbies and they were introduced to new activities.

People were supported to maintain some control in their lives. They were given information in a format that helped them to understand if they did not read to encourage their involvement in every day decision making.

People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people and family members and their views were used to improve the service. Staff and people who used the service told us they were “listened to.”

A complaints procedure was available. People we spoke with said they knew how to complain but they hadn’t needed to.

Staff said the registered manager was approachable and kept them informed of any changes to the service provided. Relatives of people who used the service also commented; “The registered manager and staff are approachable.” The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.