Independent Living Solutions Limited

Independent Living Solutions provides specialist care and support packages to people living in their own homes. They work with people who have an identified need such as spinal cord injury, brain injury or cerebral palsy. They provide a case management and rehabilitation service to children and adults.

Not everyone using Independent Living Solutions receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

A registered manager was 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 and their relatives told us the staff were caring, there were good support teams in place and people were treated with respect and dignity.

People were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received appropriate training and were able to recognise any safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.

Where risks to people had been identified, risk assessments were in place and guidance for staff on how to minimise those risks.

Consent to assist people was gained prior to any action or activity undertaken. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were able to apply this in their work with people.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications (court orders) had been made to the Supervisory Body appropriately, however not all documents were in place regarding health and welfare decisions for people who lacked capacity to make these decisions. We have made a recommendation about best practice regarding the Mental Capacity Act.

Care plans detailed people's preferences, choices and independent abilities. Care plans were person centred and people and their relatives had been actively involved in developing their support plans.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the management team (team leaders, case managers and the registered manager). All staff received regular one to one supervision with their case manager.

Relatives, professionals and staff told us the service was responsive and well managed. The service sought people's, their relatives and staff views and opinions and acted upon them.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found