Assisted living trust requires improvement - CQC

The CQC found "shortfalls" at trust facilities but "no evidence" that people had been harmed

A trust which provides support for disabled and autistic people has been rated as "requires improvement" by a watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it found "breaches of regulation relating to safeguarding" at the Oaklea Trust's facilities in Durham and Northumberland, but "no evidence" that people had been harmed.

This included issues with records kept on those who lacked the capacity to make their own decisions, the CQC said.

Trust head Jenna Hall said the group, which supports about 55 people, was "working to respond" to the report and "ensure high quality care and services" across all its sites.

The CQC said it had found examples of "positive and proactive support" provided by staff but also "shortfalls".

It also said it "could not be assured the provider had acted appropriately to reduce risk".

Some staff decisions linked to people who lacked the capacity to make their own decisions were not documented, it also found.

Staff also did not know if Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) had been put in place for those they were supporting.

The report said that in some cases if these had been applied for, staff did not know what they meant in "terms of people’s support."

DoLS are designed to protect individuals who cannot consent to their care arrangements in a care home or hospital.

'Caring staff'

The CQC said while service users and their relatives were "happy with the care and support", their assessment had revealed that the provider was "not always meeting the expected standards".

"Some people had limited verbal communication, we observed them interacting with staff and saw positive interactions," the report added.

"The people we spoke to told us they were happy with the care they received. They felt staff were kind and caring."