Fortis Care Hertfordshire, a supported living and domiciliary care service for six people with learning disabilities and/or autism, retained an overall Good rating across all five key questions following a responsive inspection prompted by concerns. Inspectors found no evidence of harm and identified strong safeguarding, recruitment, training, person-centred culture and governance arrangements.
Strengths
· Robust safeguarding systems with staff trained and confident in reporting concerns internally and externally
· Effective recruitment procedures including DBS checks and references before staff worked independently
· Thorough staff induction, training, supervision and competency observations including medicines competency assessments
· Person-centred culture with key workers allocated and care matched to individual personalities and preferences
· Strong MCA practice with mental capacity assessments and best interests decisions involving relatives, advocates and professionals
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcareGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
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: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships and follow interestsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Duty of candour; managers and staff clear about roles, performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred, inclusive and empowering cultureGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood