INSPECTORS have identified room for improvement in an Inverclyde Council-run care service following a recent unannounced visit.

Inverclyde Learning Disability Support and Care at Home Service was evaluated by the Care Inspectorate across four days in May.

The service supports people with learning disabilities throughout Inverclyde through provision of two supported living services and a dispersed service.

At the time of the inspection, a total of 23 people were receiving assistance.

A report published last week shows that the service received ‘adequate’ ratings – number three on the six point scale – for its leadership, staff team, support for people’s wellbeing and planning of care and support.

The Care Inspectorate spoke with 11 people using the service, eight relatives and 14 staff members.

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They observed ‘warm and genuine’ relationships between staff and those using the service.

Despite receiving an overall 'adequate' result for supporting people's wellbeing, some aspects of this - including ensuring people 'get the most of out of life' - were rated as 'good'.

The report states: “Whilst some improvements were needed, the strengths identified had a significant positive impact on people's experiences.

“Systems were in place to support the safe management of medication, however these require developing to ensure support with medication is consistent and safe.

“The service began making improvements to their medication processes during the course of the inspection.”

In evaluating the service’s leadership, inspectors noted that quality assurance process were ‘not always being utilised to identify and action improvements’.

It was also highlighted that the registered manager ‘had no oversight of professional registrations in place for the staff team’.

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The report said: “There were several issues identified with staff not registered with SSSC as they should be.

“The service had began taking action to improve the manager's oversight and ensure that all staff were registered appropriately.”

Inspectors observed that while not always documented in care plans, staff were able to identify individuals’ needs and support them with ‘dignity and respect’.

Requirements were set for the service to remedy the medication and registration issued by July 2, with the Care Inspectorate also identifying various areas for improvement to be addressed by November.

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We note the findings of the inspection report and take on board the useful feedback provided which will allow us to make further improvements to the service.

“While the four key areas were rated as ‘adequate’, there were areas within those key areas that were graded as ‘good’.

“In particular, we are pleased that the inspector highlighted how our staff support our service users in a compassionate way, treat them with dignity and respect, and help them to get the most out of life.

“Since the inspection was carried out, the service has been working on their improvement plan, which details all the actions they are taking following recommendations made by the inspector and many of these have already been actioned.

"The improvement plan was submitted on time in light of the 2 July targets set for immediate actions.

“There will also be an easy-read version of the improvement plan produced so all tenants in the service can participate.”