Affinity Supporting People (East Lancashire) received an overall Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection in May 2023, demonstrating safe, person-centred supported living for 14 people receiving personal care. Minor shortfalls in risk assessment documentation, medicines records, and health action plans were promptly addressed by the manager, and the absence of a registered manager at the time of inspection was noted.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Governance
: “At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The manager intended to apply for registration.”
minorRecord keeping: “the appropriate documentation was not always available on people's files. The manager addressed this issue following the inspection and sent us copies of the risk assessments.”
minorMedication management: “We found some minor shortfalls with the medicines administration records. The manager made immediate arrangements to review and update the records.”
minorCare planning: “one persons' health action plan and hospital passports was not completed and it was therefore difficult to determine when the person attended routine healthcare appointments.”
Strengths
· People received person-centred support with sufficient staffing levels and consistent care teams familiar with individual needs and preferences.
· Safe recruitment procedures were followed, and staff received ongoing mandatory and specialist training including the Care Certificate.
· Staff demonstrated warm, respectful interactions; people and relatives expressed high satisfaction with care quality.
· Effective auditing and quality monitoring systems were in place, with action plans developed to address any shortfalls.
· Strong partnership working with health and social care professionals, including SALT and social services, to meet people's diverse needs.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships and take part in activitiesGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Working in partnership with othersGood