Creative Support - Calderdale & Kirklees Services

At the last inspection in May 2016 we found the provider was rated overall as good with one domain rated outstanding. At this inspection we found the service remains good with the one domain rated outstanding.

Creative Support (Halifax) provides support for people with a range of disabilities and complex needs. The service aims to enable people to live independent and dignified lives, by the provision of care in a supported living environment. At the time of inspection there were 29 people receiving a personal care service.

A registered manager was 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.

We found strong evidence the service actively sought the views of people using the service through innovative methods, fully involving them in the interviewing process for new staff, and knowledge sharing. We found an extremely dedicated and knowledgeable management team committed to ensuring people could live as fulfilling lives as possible. This promoted people's health and wellbeing and enhanced their quality of life.

People said the standard of care was very good and they were well cared for. People spoke very highly about staff, the support they received and opportunities available to them. People had developed exceptionally strong relationships with staff which they spoke about to us with the upmost respect for them. Staff including the management team knew people very well and consistently helped them achieve their dreams and aspirations.

The service had good links with the local community. This empowered people to be involved in events and activities which took place in the local area. Due to the resources available and dedication of the staff team, people had access to an exceptional range of activities in the community. These helped people achieve their dreams and build self-confidence. The service was exceptional at helping people develop their independence through a series of well thought out goals. People were fully involved in the planning and setting of these goals. People were very keen to tell us what these were and how this made them more independent. People's achievements were celebrated by the service to help build further confidence. People were proud to tell us of their achievements.

Staff had opportunities to update their skills and professional development. Staff demonstrated an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems

in the service supported this practice.

Staff were confident in supporting people with medicines and knew people very well.

There was an open and transparent culture in which staff felt valued and able to approach the registered manager. Staff told us they felt valued and really enjoyed their role. The management team continued to improve and work as much as possible with people's relatives if they had any concerns or complaints. We saw accident and incident were reviewed; however, these were not at the time of inspection fully embedded to look at lessons learnt or analysis. We spoke to the registered manager who had reviewed these and put into place analysis of these accident and incidents by the second day of inspection.

We looked at the environmental risk assessments for the outside of the building due to a mossy area on the footpath of Iona House. We saw this had not been accounted for on the risk assessments or audits, which meant people who accessed this outside footpath were at an increased risk of slipping or falling. The registered manager by the second day of inspection had the paths cleaned and reviewed the risk assessments and audit in relation to this.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found