Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme Adult Placement Service King Street Aberdeen AB24 5AB Telephone:

Transcription

1 Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme Adult Placement Service King Street Aberdeen AB24 5AB Telephone: Inspected by: Derek Priest Type of inspection: Announced Inspection completed on: 2 October 2012

2 Contents Page No Summary 3 1 About the service we inspected 4 2 How we inspected this service 6 3 The inspection 9 4 Other information 16 5 Summary of grades 17 6 Inspection and grading history 17 Service provided by: Aberdeen City Council Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service: Derek Priest Telephone enquiries@careinspectorate.com Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 2 of 18

3 Summary This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following other regulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make the service improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makes about the service. We gave the service these grades Quality of Care and Support 5 Very Good Quality of Staffing 5 Very Good Quality of Management and Leadership 5 Very Good What the service does well This service provides a very good level of support to the supported lodgings carers. The training provided to the carers enables them to provide an appropriate level of support to the young person which will enable them to move forward. What the service could do better The service should carry out the plans to implement a satisfaction survey of the service. They should also develop the social evenings where carers and young people meet. What the service has done since the last inspection The service has continued to provide a very good service despite undergoing restructuring within the council's social work department. Conclusion This is a very good service providing support for the carers giving an alternative opportunity for young people when leaving care. Who did this inspection Derek Priest Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 3 of 18

4 1 About the service we inspected The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Prior to 1 April 2011, this function was carried out by the Care Commission. Information in relation to all care services is available on our website at This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April Requirements and Recommendations If we are concerned about some aspect of a service, or think it could do more to improve its service, we may make a Recommendation or Requirement. * A Recommendation is a statement that sets out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service, but where failure to do so will not directly result in enforcement. * A Requirement is a statement which sets out what is required of a care service to comply with the Public Services Reforms (Scotland) Act 2010 and Regulations or Orders made under the Act, or a condition of registration. Where there are breaches of the Regulations, Orders or conditions, a Requirement must be made. Requirements are legally enforceable at the discretion of the Care Inspectorate. Within Annex A of the National Care Standards for Adult Placement Services, the adult placement carer is defined as "the person you go to stay with in the placement. The adult placement carer is recruited and approved by the adult placement service to provide support and care in his or her own home". In this report adult placement carers are referred as Supported Lodgings Carers or simply carers. The adult placement worker is defined as 'the worker employed by the adult placement service to arrange, supervise and support your placement with the adult placement carer. In this service the adult placement worker is known as the "Support Worker". Adults in placement are referred to as 'young person or people' throughout this report. The service provides support for Supported Lodgings Carers, and they are the primary service users. The young people are not directly supported by the Supported Lodgings Scheme, but by their social worker from the Throughcare Team. Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 4 of 18

5 Supported Lodgings Carers are recruited following a lengthy assessment process. Supported Lodgings Carers are self employed and contracted to care for a young person in their home and to provide varying degrees of support and care as required for the individual young person. The main aims and objectives of the service include "to improve the outcomes for young people leaving care", "to ensure that supported carers are adequately supported in their role, financially and by appropriate and regular advice, guidance and training", and "to match young people with individual householders within the community, who can provide support in the setting of their own home". Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following grades: Quality of Care and Support - Grade 5 - Very Good Quality of Staffing - Grade 5 - Very Good Quality of Management and Leadership - Grade 5 - Very Good This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You can find the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our website or by calling us on or visiting one of our offices. Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 5 of 18

6 2 How we inspected this service The level of inspection we carried out In this service we carried out a low intensity inspection. We carry out these inspections when we are satisfied that services are working hard to provide consistently high standards of care. What we did during the inspection We wrote this report after an announced inspection which started on 1 October This was a visit to a young person who had previously been supported by a Supported Lodgings Carer, and to two Supported Lodgings Carers who received support from the service. A further visit took place on 2 October at the office of the Supported Lodgings Scheme to meet the manager and Support Worker for the scheme. The inspection was carried out by Derek Priest, inspector with the Care Inspectorate. During the visit we gathered evidence from various sources, including written records: - current self assessment document - files for three Supported Lodgings Carers - various policies - training/supervision records. Discussions with various people, including: - one young person who had previously been supported - two Supported Lodgings Carers - the manager - the Support Worker. Grading the service against quality themes and statements We inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example, one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Under each quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should be doing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the quality themes and statements. Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 6 of 18

7 Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs) In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during our inspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we make during inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we will clearly identify it under the relevant quality statement. Fire safety issues We do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible for checking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, we will alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action to take. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety at Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 7 of 18

8 The annual return Every year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure the information we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we will inspect the service. Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic Comments on Self Assessment Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate. Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate. The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed self assessment document from the service provider. We were satisfied with the way the service provider had completed this, and with the relevant information they had given us for each of headings that we grade them under. The service provider identified what they thought they did well, some areas for development, and any changes they had planned. Taking the views of people using the care service into account Two Supported Lodgings Carers were visited as part of the inspection process. Both reported good experiences of the service, with support being available promptly. They also stated that the carers shared their contact information to enable them to support one another. They explained the support arrangements to allow them to go on holiday and short breaks. They also confirmed the process of matching them with an appropriate young person. One young person who had previously received support from a carer explained how they had been supported, respected the carer and the House Agreement, and was supported by the carer when moving to their own tenancy. They were still in contact as friends. Taking carers' views into account Not applicable Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 8 of 18

9 3 The inspection We looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes and statements. Here are the details of what we found. Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the care and support provided by the service. Service strengths Prospective Supported Lodgings Carers were provided with many opportunities to express their views about the service and to obtain the support and advice that they required. This began prior to becoming an approved carer and through their time as a Supported Lodgings Carer. These included: * a visit from a Support Worker to explain the role and answer questions * a meeting with an existing Supported Lodgings Carer at recruitment evenings to ask further questions * being able to state any gender preference for a young person to come and live with them * being involved in the development of a House Agreement and stating specific rules such as no smoking with the house * developing a personal profile of themselves to share with young people who may be being considered as requiring their support * meeting with a young person who has been "matched" with them and being able to be involved in the decision making as to moving forward with the placement. Similar choices and opportunities were made available to the young person who was looking for a placement. Once a placement had been agreed by carer, young person and the service, there was regular contact with the carer to provide support and advice and to respond to any issues that may have arisen. Supported Lodgings Carers advised that they were visited regularly by the Support Worker, and that the service was always able to be contacted if they had any queries. They reported a quick response to any messages that were left. The Supported Lodgings Carer's and young person's views were sought as part of the regular reviews for the young person and the annual review of the Supported Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 9 of 18

10 Lodgings Carer. Documents were available to both parties to record their views of the support provided. The annual review of the Supported Lodgings Carer was led by the manager of the Supported Lodgings Scheme. This provided the carer with an opportunity to express their views about the support provided to them by the Support Worker. End of placement questionnaires had been completed, which provided information about how the placement had been, the reason for it coming to an end and any improvements that could have been made. This was to both carer and young person. Areas for improvement The service should continue to provide opportunities for the carers and young people to express their views about the service and to involve them in all aspects of the process. The manager advised that they were developing a paper on "How we Support Carers". It was encouraging to see that this was progressing, and it was suggested that the involvement of carers in the development of this paper should be considered. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 3 We ensure that service users' health and wellbeing needs are met. Service strengths The service obtained medical reports for prospective Supported Lodgings Carers among the many checks as part of the assessment and approval process. Medical reports were also requested on a three yearly basis. This was to ensure that the Supported Lodgings Carers were and remained medically fit to support the young person. Young people living with Supported Lodgings Carers were supported to register with a GP and dentist if they were not currently registered. The carer was able to support them as necessary to attend appointments with various healthcare professionals. The young person was also supported in these matters by their social worker as part of the Throughcare Team. Support was provided to the Supported Lodgings Carer through the regular meetings with the Support Worker. These meetings and the accessibility of the worker by telephone allowed any concerns to be dealt with quickly. Supported Lodgings Carers had developed strong links between themselves and provided support to each other. Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 10 of 18

11 Areas for improvement The service advised that the Support Worker as part of the supported lodgings team was planning to develop some social events. This would further develop relationships between carers and provide new links for some of the newer carers. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 11 of 18

12 Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of staffing in the service. Service strengths This Statement has been reported as part of Quality Theme 1, Statement 1. Areas for improvement Any Recommendations or Requirements have been reported as part of Quality Theme 1, Statement 1. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 3 We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National Care Standards, legislation and best practice. Service strengths Staff employed by the Supported Lodgings Scheme received appropriate training to enable them to carry out their work. Training was received which related to children's and adult services. These training events included: * Adult Support and Protection * Attachment issues * Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) * Sexual Relationships * Drug and Alcohol training * other relevant training events. Training issues were discussed at supervision sessions, which were carried out on a monthly basis. A few online training courses such as data protection were also available. Training was also offered to the Supported Lodgings Carers. This training was often linked with training available to foster carers. The carers advised that they had attended many training events over the years. These included: Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 12 of 18

13 * First Aid * Module of Adult Support and Protection * Health and Safety * Drug issues * Fire Safety. The carers also reported that the service responded to any requests for training or additional information. One carer advised that they had asked for information of self harming and this was provided. Learning and social events had also been provided. One example was of carers and young people meeting and using kitchen facilities to cook followed by a social get together. Areas for improvement The service should continue to provide staff members with the training to enable them to provide appropriate support to the Supported Lodgings Carers. Carers should also continue to be offered appropriate training which is relevant to the young people that they are supporting. The service should continue to source training or information as appropriate to the support that the carer is required to provide. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 13 of 18

14 Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the management and leadership of the service. Service strengths This statement has been reported as part of Quality Theme 1, Statement 1. Areas for improvement Any Recommendations or Requirements have been reported as part of Quality Theme 1, Statement 1. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 4 We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers, staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide Service strengths The documentation used by the service provided a clear process for gathering information used for the assessment process. A detailed checklist was included to ensure that all issues had been assessed and addressed. A thorough health and safety check of the carer's home was carried out as part of the assessment process and this was reviewed on an annual basis. The success of placements was reviewed by the use of exit interviews, where the young person and the carer had the opportunity to provide feedback about the placement. Two responses were viewed and they provided positive reports of the service and of the experience. One young person who was supported by one of the Supported Lodgings Carers was spoken with, and they gave a positive account of the support and help that they had received. The service reported very good outcomes, with no young person who was supported by a Supported Lodgings Carer having returned to care. The service reported that no complaints had been about the service. Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 14 of 18

15 A group of young people who were not involved with the Supported Lodgings Scheme completed a survey about their awareness of the service. Their responses were being considered by the service. Areas for improvement The service should review the information obtained from the young people who were not currently using the service. Based on this review the service should review the way that the service is promoted to this group of people. The service has a website as part of Aberdeen City Council's main site. This site gives information about the service, and also an opportunity for people to provide feedback. This facility has not yet been used, and may not be the most appropriate way to obtain the views of young people. Consideration should be given to other methods. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 15 of 18

16 4 Other information Complaints No complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection. Enforcements We have taken no enforcement action against this care service since the last inspection. Additional Information Action Plan Failure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, including any agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made, will result in SCSWIS re-grading the Quality Statement within the Management and Leadership Theme as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme for Management and Leadership being re-graded as Unsatisfactory (1). Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 16 of 18

17 5 Summary of grades Quality of Care and Support Very Good Statement 1 Statement Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of Staffing Very Good Statement 1 Statement Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of Management and Leadership Very Good Statement 1 Statement Very Good 5 - Very Good 6 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 10 Dec 2010 Announced Care and support 5 - Very Good Staffing Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 1 Sep 2009 Announced Care and support 5 - Very Good Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership 4 - Good 3 Nov 2008 Announced Care and support 4 - Good Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership 4 - Good All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former regulator of care services, the Care Commission. Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 17 of 18

18 To find out more about our inspections and inspection reports Read our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us to send you a copy by telephoning us on This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can get more copies of this report and others by downloading it from our website: or by telephoning Translations and alternative formats This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request. Telephone: enquiries@careinspectorate.com Web: Aberdeen City Council Supported Lodging Scheme, page 18 of 18