Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Learning Disability Services was rated Good overall following an announced inspection in August 2016, with all five key questions rated Good. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, robust safeguarding and governance systems, though minor issues were noted around unfamiliar staff deployment, incomplete PRN medication recording, and gaps in equality and diversity training coverage.
Concerns (5)
moderate
Staffing levels
: “a member of staff had recently failed to turn up for a shift at a time when no alternative cover could be found, meaning that there was insufficient support to meet the identified needs for the whole of that shift.”
moderateStaff competency: “support workers were being sent from their normal place of work to tenancies and people who used the service with whom they may be unfamiliar, sometimes at very short notice, and without appropriate supervision.”
minorMedication management: “the MAR records did not always state the reason for giving the medicine. Stating why an 'as required' medicine has been given would help to assess any underlying medical condition.”
minorCultural competency: “the training matrix showed equality and diversity training had been completed by less staff (67%) than any other formal training modules.”
minorPerson-centred care: “this was not displayed in a picture format, which meant that people who had difficulty with reading may not be able to interpret the activity on offer.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff demonstrated in-depth knowledge of individuals' physical, social and emotional needs.
· Robust safeguarding policies and whistle-blowing procedures were in place and understood by all staff.
· Comprehensive, individualised care plans with detailed risk assessments and specialist guidance.
· Strong recruitment procedures including DBS checks and thorough pre-employment vetting.
· Staff received regular supervision at least four times per year and had access to ongoing training across 12 key areas.
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council's supported living service was rated Good across all five key questions at its July 2019 inspection, maintaining its previous Good rating from 2017. The service demonstrated person-centred care, strong leadership, effective safeguarding, and a positive culture of continuous improvement.
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff were confident raising safeguarding concerns; robust systems in place to protect people from abuse.
· Appropriate staffing levels with a robust system ensuring people were supported by familiar staff when regulars were off.
· Medicines managed safely with people encouraged to be as independent as possible with their medicines.
· Staff demonstrated patience, understanding and knowledge; relatives confirmed staff had the skills needed to do the job.
· People were supported to increase independence, develop new skills, and participate in volunteering and part-time work.