Staffordshire Supported Living supports individuals living with learning disabilities, mental health needs and autism offering personal care within their own homes across the West Midlands. The service supports individuals in their own homes in Bordesley Green, Birmingham and in Wombourne, near Wolverhampton.
CQC inspectors completed an inspection in November to check the service was safe and well-led and it received positive feedback from the regulator, being awarded ‘Good’ across both domains. In the new report, inspectors concluded that the staff team was committed to providing a high standard of care to residents.
Praising the quality of care, the report read: “People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
“The service was consistently managed and well-led. Leaders and the culture they created promoted high-quality, person-centred care.”
Inspectors concluded that residents were supported by enough suitable recruited staff who had received appropriate training and that polices within the home supported good practices, including infection control and safeguarding procedures. Care plans and risk assessments were in place and the report highlighted there were systems established to ensure people were receiving the support needed.
It added: “Staff enabled people to access specialist health and social care support in the community. People were happy with the caring support they received from staff. People were supported by a management and staff team which understood the holistic needs of supporting someone with autism or a learning disability.
“They worked closely with the person and relatives where appropriate to deliver appropriate care to people. They ensured the individual was at the forefront of this care, to deliver positive outcomes for people.”
During the inspection, the CQC spoke with staff, residents and their loved ones.
The report read: “People and relatives were happy with the support and service they received. One person said, ‘I am 100% happy and I couldn’t be happier with the service here. The staff are kind and caring.’ Another person told us, “I feel like if I have a bad day, I am able to express this. They [staff] help me feel better and think positive.’”
Inspectors also positively highlighted the collaboration between staff and relatives which saw loved ones frequently involved in care planning and review meetings. The report also described how the service worked closely with other agencies to ensure people received the care they needed. This included social workers and nurses.
Service Manager Hardy Uppal said she was thrilled with the outcome of the inspection. She said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the staff who help make the service the special place that it is. It is thanks to the staff’s dedication, passion and commitment that the service is able to change lives for the better.
“I am pleased that the report recognised this and the independence we have given back to the people we support. We all strive to create a culture which promotes high-quality, person-centred care and that this is reflected in the inspection report is testament to the team I work with.”
Leanne Squires, Registered Manager of the Birmingham service, added: “I am so proud of all the staff. They have worked incredibly hard since the service opened in 2020. Each staff member shows care, compassion and dedication. The whole team really do improve the lives of those we support.”
You can read the full report here.