About the service:

Royal Mencap Society - Oxford are a domiciliary care agency (DCA). The service provides personal care services to people living with learning disabilities in supported living arrangements. At the time of our inspection 15 people received personal care as the regulated activity.

What life is like for people using this service:

People received compassionate support from caring and committed staff. People told us staff were kind and respectful and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff knew what was important to people and ensured people’s confidentiality and privacy were respected and their independence was promoted.

People were supported to access health services when required. People complimented the continuity of care provided by skilled and competent staff. Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff had access to effective supervision.

People received support that met their needs and was in line with care plans and good practice. People were supported to maintain good diet and hydration. People's rights to make their own decisions were respected.

The provider followed safe recruitment processes. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to protecting people from the risk of harm. Where risks to people had been identified, assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage these risks. People received their medicine as prescribed.

The service was well run. Staff and the registered manager shared the visions and values of the service and these were embedded within service delivery. There were systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning from audits took place which promoted people's safety and quality of life.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (report published 19 October 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up:

We will monitor all intelligence received about the service to inform the assessment of the risk profile of the service and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.

More information is in Detailed Findings below.

This inspection took place on 7 September and was announced.

Royal Mencap Society Domiciliary Care Agency (DCA) provides personal care services to people with learning disabilities in supported living arrangements. At the time of our inspection 30 people were receiving personal care from the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

People told us they were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to identify and report all concerns in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Staff had completed safeguarding training.

The service sought people's views and opinions and acted upon them. People and their relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. Staff were aware of people's needs and followed guidance to keep them safe.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Records confirmed where people needed support with their medicines, they were supported by staff that had been appropriately trained.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff had access to effective supervision. People told us and staffing rotas confirmed there were sufficient staff to meet people's needs.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and training to carry out their roles and responsibilities. People benefitted from caring relationships with the staff who had a caring approach to their work. The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.

The registered manager and staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves.

Staff and the registered manager shared the visions and values of the service and these were embedded within service delivery. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning from audits took place which promoted people's safety and quality of life.

People were supported to maintain good health. Various health professionals were involved in assessing, planning and evaluating people's care and treatment.