CQC rates Barnsley Home Care provider as good.

As part of this assessment, inspectors visited 1 of those locations to carry out a focused review. This was prompted by whistleblowing concerns.

The visit was carried out by an inspector and a senior specialist advisor who looked at 8 quality statements that focused on the quality of life for people with a learning disability. The findings from this visit have been combined with the results of the previous assessment. The provider’s overall rating remains Good.

The report sets out what was found during the visit to the supported living location. The assessment was planned using information we already held about the service, as well as in response to ongoing anonymous concerns.

The service was assessed against the Right support, right care, right culture guidance to judge whether the provider had ensured people with a learning disability and autistic people were treated with respect, equality and dignity, had choices and independence, and were supported to access their local communities.

The assessment found that

• People were safe and well supported.
• Safeguarding systems had been embedded, and staff showed good knowledge and understanding of how to keep people safe.
• The management team investigated complaints and concerns thoroughly and acted appropriately to make changes where these were needed.
• Consent regarding people’s care and treatment had been sought. However, further work was needed to make sure records were up to date and decision specific assessments were completed in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).

People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff knew people well and worked to meet their individual needs and preferences. People were given choices about everyday tasks, but the provider’s processes for assessing, recording and monitoring mental capacity needed strengthening. Staff understood people’s rights to make choices, but further support and training were needed to improve staff knowledge of the legal framework around Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The provider recognised this and had plans in place to make improvements. They had scheduled specific forums to provide staff with further support in this area and to embed learning into practice.

People’s needs had been assessed and were regularly reviewed. People achieved positive outcomes, enabling them to live meaningful lives and access activities they enjoyed. However, records about people’s outcomes needed to be more detailed to fully show the positive progress that had being made.

Managers ensured staff received suitable training and supervision so they could safely and effectively deliver care. There was a positive culture at the service, with a clear management presence and strong governance systems and processes.

People's experience of this service

People had limited verbal communication and were not always able to fully express themselves using words.  Staff were observed interacting and engaging with people, and found they were relaxed and comfortable around staff. Staff offered people choices about what they wanted to eat and drink, and what activities they wanted to do. Further opportunities were missed for people to be more actively involved, which would have strengthened their engagement. This was discussed  with the registered manager, who had carried out observations. They told us staff understood how to actively engage people, but this needed to be applied consistently across the service. People experienced person-centred care that reflected their individual needs. Staff interactions promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. Overall, people received care and support that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

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