Care4LifeHealthcare Services (Corby)

Care4LifeHealthcare Services provides supported living to people that have learning disabilities with complex support needs. At the time of the inspection one person was being supported with regulated activity.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people the respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

People who had Care4LifeHealthcare Services support were consistently treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. The service provided exceptionally tailored care, and support from a compassionate, trained staff team, who were skilled, knowledgeable, and able to meet people’s holistic needs. Managers ensured that staff had relevant training, regular supervision and appraisal tailored to the needs of the people they were providing care and support to. If restrictive practices were used, this was only considered after a full assessment. A system was in place with reviews to ensure the least restrictive options were being used and were in line with people’s best interests. Staff fully understood their roles and responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff supported people with recognised models of care and best practice for people with a learning disability or autistic people. People and their relatives were fully involved and integral in assessments of their needs with evidence of joint meetings and specific requests acted upon.

Relatives brought in home cooked food for people, and staff recognised the importance of this for the person. Family visiting was given a priority over the days plan. An example of this was when a relative brought in take away for lunch which was accommodated with no issues. The service utilised people’s preferred communication methods to ensure they could maximise their involvement in reviews of their personal and health needs.

Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Leadership was excellent, and governance processes helped the service to keep people safe, protect their human rights and provide good care and support. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using services led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. The model of care and setting fully maximised people’s choice, control and independence. Care provision was exceptionally person-centred, ensuring people’s dignity, privacy and human rights were fully respected. Staff worked closely with all agencies involved in people’s care and strived for the best outcomes for people. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living and reduce potential health inequalities. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment using appropriate communication aids and, if needed, found other innovative ways of communicating to support people’s autonomy The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equitable care and treatment. Staff worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally. They understood their roles and responsibilities. Feedback we received from all partners was positive, with external teams praising the approach of the management and staff team.