Kerensa Support Limited

Not everyone using the service received a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people who are provided with the regulated activity of 'personal care', for example which includes help with tasks such as personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided.

People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual arrangements. The CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's care and support.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right Support, right care, right culture.

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.

The Right support: Relatives spoke positively about the support and care their family member received. They commented, "We cannot believe how fortunate we are" and "[Peoples names] are probably the most settled they have been in years."

The model of care and setting maximised people's choice, control and independence. The supported living settings had easy access to the local community and amenities.

The supported living services are staffed by a team leader and dedicated small staff team who know people. People were supported by enough staff on duty who had been appropriately trained. The registered manager and head of care had oversight of the services and provided support. Relatives were complimentary about staff skill and experience. Comments included, "Staff are excellent."

Staff were recruited safely. The staff team had the appropriate levels of knowledge and skills to support people and responded to their individual needs and choices. Staff were supported by a system of induction, training, supervisions, appraisals and staff meetings.

People received their medicines in a safe way and were protected from abuse and neglect. People's care plans and risk assessments were clear and up to date.

Staff supported people to make choices about their daily lives and engage in activities, that were tailored to their individual needs and promoted their independence. People were supported to maintain and develop relationships

People received support to maintain good health and were supported to maintain a balanced diet where this was part of their plan of care.

Right care: People received good quality person-centred care that promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. There was a strong person-centred culture within the staff team.

Care plans had been created for each person to help ensure consistent approaches were used by staff when supporting people. Staff knew people well and demonstrated an understanding of people's individual care, behavioural and communication needs. This helped ensure people people's views were heard and their diverse needs met.

Right culture: The ethos, values, and attitudes of management and care staff ensured people led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff created an environment that inspired people to achieve their goals and ambitions.

People lived as they wished, and staff supported people to do the things they enjoyed.

Relatives, health and social care professionals and staff told us management were approachable and they listened to them when they had any concerns or ideas. All feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.

Cleaning and infection control procedures had been updated in line with COVID-19 guidance to help protect people, visitors and staff from the risk of infection. Government guidance about COVID-19 testing for people, staff and visitors was being followed.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk