# Real Life Options - Yorkshire

*Operated by Real Life Options.*

Real Life Options - Yorkshire is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Leeds.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Requires improvement |
| Safe | Requires improvement |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Requires improvement |

Rating published: 08/03/2023

## Practical info

- Postcode: LS11 7HL
- Registered manager: Stringer, Joanne
- Local authority: Leeds
- Region: Yorkshire & Humberside
- City: Leeds
- Last CQC check: 08/Mar/2023 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: The provider worked in partnership with community health and social care professionals evidenced in care plans.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: People were supported to have choice and control, including personalising their living spaces.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: The registered manager promoted an open and inclusive culture and demonstrated a good understanding of duty of candour.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff recruitment was safe with DBS checks, employment history and references completed.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff understood STOMP principles and medicines were administered, recorded and stored safely with audits in place.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: Safeguarding systems were in place including a safeguarding log and regular team meeting discussions.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and had established good rapport.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: Risks to people were recognised, assessed and managed safely with regular reviews whenever needs changed.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **medication_management** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: People had medicine support plan and protocols describing when they should be offered some of their 'when required' medicines however we found some documentation lacked details.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **infection_control** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: One of the supported living houses we visited was unclean and although we saw evidence of cleaning records there was not enough time allocated.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **supervision_appraisal** _(moderate)_
  - Evidence: Recent management changes meant there were gaps, for example with supervision and surveys however there was evidence these were being addressed.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **governance** _(critical)_
  - Evidence: Systems were not yet robust enough to demonstrate good governance. This placed people at risk of harm. This was a continued breach of regulation 17.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **staffing_levels** _(critical)_
  - Evidence: Staff and relatives felt staffing levels were poor. "We are firefighting, the priority has to be keeping staff and service-users safe."
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- **staffing_levels** _(critical)_
  - Evidence: The provider did not monitor late calls to people living in their own homes. Therefore, we could not be assured people were receiving care as planned.
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Evidence: End of life care wishes were discussed sensitively and recorded in support plans
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Comprehensive communication support plans and use of Makaton and PECS to support people's expression
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Service worked collaboratively with external agencies including commissioning, safeguarding, GPs and therapists
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Positive, open and honest culture with staff feeling valued and well supported by management
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective quality assurance audits including medicines, care records, health and safety, and staff performance
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: People were supported to maintain maximum independence and choice in line with MCA principles
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Care records were person-centred, detailed, and regularly updated to reflect changing needs
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff received regular supervision, appraisal, and a rolling programme of relevant training including PBS
  - Published: 2021-10-30

### safe

- Finding
  - Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrong
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Preventing and controlling infection
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Using medicines safely
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Staffing and recruitment
  - Published: 2023-06-08

### well_led

- Finding
  - Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering; Duty of candour
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Working in partnership with others
  - Published: 2023-06-08
- Finding
  - Managers and staff being clear about their roles, quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Continuous learning and improving care
  - Published: 2023-06-08

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-3937456023

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.