ALP Supported Living Services
Contract Monitoring Report
- Name of Provider: ALP Supported Living Ltd
- Date of Visit: 22nd February 2024 (Office visit, Ebbw Vale)
- Visiting Officers: Caroline Roberts, Contract Monitoring Officer (CCBC)
- Present: Andrea Bayliss, Responsible Individual (RI) - Office Visit / Leanne Bayliss, Registered Manager (RM) – Office Visit
Background
ALP Supported Living Services provide personal care and support to people with a range of disabilities including Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and vulnerable individuals who require support to help them maximise their own potential and independence, from 18 – 70 years of age. Personal care is provided to individuals who reside in two separate houses situated within the Caerphilly borough. ALP also own properties in Newport and offer the same support.
ALP are the landlord and the support provider.
As part of the monitoring process, the monitoring officer attended the head office in Ebbw Vale and one of their properties. During these visits, discussions were held with the tenants and the supporting staff, along with viewing documentation.
Referrals for ALP Supported Living are made direct via Local Authority’s. On receipt of the referral, the provider will consider compatibility with other tenants and ensure that there is sufficient staffing to meet the individual’s needs.
Any new prospective tenant is invited to the property on several occasions to observe how they and the other tenants interact. Views and opinions are taken from the existing tenants prior to the move taking place.
Dependant on the findings within the report, corrective and developmental actions may be given to the provider to complete. Corrective actions are those that must be completed as governed by regulations such as RISCA (The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act), and developmental actions are those that are deemed good practice.
Previous Recommendations from 2022
Corrective
RI to complete quarterly reports - RISCA Reg. 74. MET.
For reviews to be undertaken on a 3 monthly basis or sooner if changes are identified – RISCA Reg 16. MET
Developmental actions
Daily recordings to be more personalised. MET.
For PEEPS to be up-dated annually. MET.
For all files to contain a Missing Persons profile. MET.
RI Information and Quality Assurance
The RI shared the up-dated Statement of Purpose, which had been revised in January 2024. The document outlines the aims and objectives of the service provider.
The contingency plan, in the event that the RI & RM are absent at the same time, is that the RM from another service would assist.
The Responsible Individual (RI) is required to undertake visits to the properties at least every three months (regulation 74) and produce a report at least every six months (regulation 80).
In order for the service to operate effectively mandatory policies and procedures are necessary (e.g. Safeguarding, Infection Control, Medication, Complaints etc.). These were viewed and were observed to be up-to-date.
The last 3 quarterly reports were viewed and observed to capture the appropriate information as required by the Regulation and Inspection of Service Care Act. Also, making reference to the Regulation 80 report.
The RI has adopted a new approach to capture feedback from relatives and other professionals. The RI now makes telephone contact, rather than issuing surveys.
Noted below are extracts taken from the RI’s report:
“…….., I am extremely happy with the way that X is supported. X has been supported in any activities and outings X has required including going to college, sport outings and support to different places for the charity work. …. the staff and other tenants have become not just friends but family aswell…”
“In particular, I’d like to thank you and your team for all the support you showed when X fell and broke his hip. This was an extremely stressful time for all, but your team not only supported X but showed their genuine care for X. We knew that when X returned home they would be safe and that X would be supported in his recovery. It is a testament to this care that you would never think he suffered this injury. Thank you for all the love and care you have shown X over the years.”
“……….I have nothing but praise for the care and support X receives…”
“I am absolutely grateful for the great care that my mam receives”
Positive feedback was also observed from professionals working in partnership with the provide and in particular the individuals.
Manager’s Questions
During the visit, the RM was asked a series of questions in respect of the service.
Medication is audited every week, and the provider ensures this is undertaken in a timely manner due to the number of health issues one individual has been experiencing.
Medication is double signed should there be two staff members available; however, if only one, then only one signature is recorded. All medication is stored in a lockable cabinet.
Service user and stake holder feedback is obtained via email and telephone calls. During the last period, no suggestions for any potential changes were made. However, the provider is open to suggestions.
When asked about advocacy, the RM advised that individuals do have the option to be supported by an advocate and some tenants are supported by Person 2 Person.
Staff have access to training and recently undertook De-Fib training at a local library. The quality of training is assessed via observation and when used in practice.
Some staff members are working over 48hours.
At present the provider is not providing the ‘Active Offer’ as no tenant communicates in the medium of Welsh. The RM advised that should this be required; they have access to the Welsh Interpretation & Translation Service.
The RM demonstrated their knowledge on the safeguarding process by explaining the process to the visiting officer and advised that all staff have the All Wales Safeguarding Procedure downloaded to their mobile phones.
Complaints & Compliments
The RM advised that representations have been made; however, no formal complaints. Staff deal with any day to day issues the tenants may raise; however, should there be a more formal/serious concern, this would be referred to the RM for dealing with and seeking resolution.
Should a complaint be made about a staff member, this would be discussed with them on a 1:1 basis and hopefully; resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant.
Staffing Information
The RM advised there has only been one new staff member join ALP, and they follow the Social Care Wales Induction Framework.
During the last 12 months, ALP have had one staff member leave to undertake a new career. Within the last year they have also employed one new member of staff.
At the time of the monitoring there were no staff members on long term sick leave.
The provider has not had to use agency workers for the last three years.
Should an emergency occur, staff have access to 24-hour support via the on-call system in place.
Mandatory and non-mandatory is undertaken and at the beginning of each year, the RI and RM will meet to discuss the required training.
The monitoring officer viewed two staff files for the purpose of ensuring all the necessary documents were present. On both files there was evidence of a current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) information, written references, employment history etc. Photographs of the members of staff were also observed. Both staff members had a Contract of Employment.
Some training certificates were observed on both files. However, the majority of certificates are printed and retained by the staff member.
The training matrix was viewed, and it was observed that all appropriate mandatory training has been undertaken, along with non-mandatory that would benefit the staff supporting the individuals.
The supervision matrix was observed, and, it was evident that all staff have regular supervision sessions, which are face to face and held on a one-to-one basis. Annual appraisals have also been undertaken.
Corrective and Developmental Actions
Corrective
None identified.
Developmental actions
None identified.
Conclusion
Mandatory policies and procedures were shared prior the visit and were observed to be up-to-date.
ALP have a stable support team that allows continuity for the individuals they support and staff are offered various training in order to allow them to support the individuals and fulfil their role.
The two staff files viewed, held all required documentation.
Routine monitoring will continue, and the monitoring officer would like to thank all involved for their time, the information shared, and the hospitality shown during the visit.
- Author: Caroline Roberts
- Designation: Contract Monitoring Officer
- Date: 12th April 2024