Living Ambitions Limited (Doncaster) was rated Good across all five key questions at its first inspection under the current provider in April 2017, demonstrating safe, person-centred care for 170 people with learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions. Minor concerns related to staff morale and transition management in recently acquired North East Lincolnshire services were acknowledged and being actively addressed by the management team.
Concerns (3)
minor
Leadership
: “Staff in the more recently acquired locations felt they had received better quality training and more responsive support from their previous employer.”
minorStaff training: “Staff expressed mixed views about the training and support provided... Staff in the more recently acquired locations felt they had received better quality training.”
minorGovernance: “There were issues raised by staff who were feeling 'cut adrift'... staff felt they had not been well prepared for this.”
Strengths
· People consistently reported feeling safe and happy with the service and staff
· Detailed, person-centred risk assessments and care plans were in place and regularly reviewed
· Robust staff recruitment process with appropriate pre-employment vetting checks
· Medicines were stored and administered safely with clear protocols for 'when required' medicines
· Staff training was up to date including bespoke training for specific needs such as autism, epilepsy and positive behaviour support
Quality-Statement breakdown (13)
safe: Safeguarding and risk managementGood
safe: Staffing levels and recruitmentGood
safe: Medicines managementGood
effective: Staff training and competencyGood
effective: Supervision and appraisalGood
effective: Consent and Mental Capacity ActGood
effective: Nutrition, hydration and healthcareGood
caring: Dignity, respect and person-centred careGood
caring: Involvement in care decisions and independenceGood
responsive: Person-centred care planning and reviewGood
Living Ambitions Limited (Doncaster) achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at this February 2020 inspection, maintaining its previous Good rating from 2017. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, safe medicines management and effective governance, with only minor gaps in staff training and audit coverage identified.
Concerns (2)
minorStaff training: “There were some minor gaps in staff training but these had been identified and action taken to book staff onto training.”
minorGovernance: “Whilst these were regularly undertaken, they had not always identified all areas for improvement such as, infection control and some environmental issues.”
Strengths
· People told us they felt very safe and staff had robust knowledge of safeguarding procedures and reporting responsibilities.
· Medicines were managed safely with regular audits by staff, service managers and senior locality managers.
· Robust recruitment procedures in place including criminal record checks, identity checks and references.
· Staff felt well supported, received regular supervision and training tailored to individual people's needs.
· Strong person-centred culture with people actively involved in care planning and daily decision-making.