Unity Care Solutions (Maidstone)

People's experience of using this service and what we found Families said staff provided care in a safe way, including when they used any equipment involved in their children's care. Risk assessments were carried out to identify and minimise risks involved in children and young people's care. Medicines were managed safely. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when they provided care and protected children and young people from the risk of infection.

Staff understood their responsibilities in protecting children and young people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had. The provider's recruitment procedures helped ensure only suitable staff were employed.

Staff had an induction when they started work and had the training they needed to carry out their roles. Staff were well-supported by the management team and had access to support and advice when they needed this, including through regular supervision. The clinical management team carried out regular spot checks to ensure staff were providing care in line with best practice.

Children's needs were assessed before they used the agency to ensure staff had the skills and training they needed to provide their care. When a team of suitable staff had been identified, they met with the clinical team to discuss how the package of care would be managed. Families and their children met the staff allocated to their care team prior to the start of the service to ensure a good match.

Staff monitored children's health effectively and took prompt action if they became unwell. Professionals told us staff worked collaboratively with them to ensure children's healthcare needs were met.

Children and young 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.

Families told us staff were kind and caring and said their children had established positive relationships with the staff who provided their care. Families said staff worked in partnership with them to ensure their children received the care they needed.

Staff supported children and young people to take part in activities, pursue their interests, and to be part of their community, including attending school. Staff respected children's and families' cultural and religious needs.

Families told us communication from the agency was good and said they were encouraged to give feedback about the care their children received. Complaints had been investigated appropriately and used as opportunities to improve the service.

The agency had an established management team with clear lines of responsibility. There were effective systems to monitor quality and safety, including audits of key areas of the service. The agency worked well with other professionals to ensure children received co-ordinated care which met their individual needs.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

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

Right support: The model of care being provided maximised children's and young people's choice, control and independence.

Right care: Children's and young people's care was person-centred and promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights.

Right culture: The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured children and young people led confident, inclusive and empowered lives.