Demonstrating our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in our Quality Report 2019/20
At Consensus, we are committed to supporting opportunity, choice and success for the individuals we support and our colleagues and recognise this will only be achieved if we ensure we constantly review what we do and can evidence a commitment to continuous improvement. Last year, we introduced the Consensus Quality Report with the aim of (and in accordance with our values) operating with transparency and integrity to review our performance across several key areas of importance and identify where we need to put our efforts going forward to meet priorities.
One year on, we are pleased to release our Quality Report 2019/20 which represents the dedication and commitment of our colleagues to meeting these priorities throughout the year.
Highlights of this year’s report include:
Achieving 99 per cent compliance across ALL our services
Last year, as a result of our robust measures to review performance and proactive approach to learning and reflecting on best practice, we reached 98 per cent compliance which was an improvement of 6.5 per cent since 2017/18. A key priority for us moving forward was to achieve full compliance for all our services and improve current ratings for those already seen as ‘Good.’ At the end of March 2019, our compliance rating had risen to 99 per cent across all relevant inspectorate bodies, representing an improvement of 1 per cent. Significantly, over this period, a further four more of our services were rated ‘Outstanding’ with CQC and Ofsted.
Building relationships and capacity to meet national and local priorities
In response to national and local priorities, our team have continued to build strong relationships within local communities and this is reflected in 55 new individuals coming to live with Consensus, an increase of four per cent from last year. We also supported six individuals to move from hospital-based settings into less restrictive accommodation, which is a significant achievement under Transforming Care. For many of these individuals, it is the first time they truly have a place to call their own home.
Supporting local demand for more complex support provision.
A key priority for our Development and Partnerships team has been to continue to work closely with local commissioners to help support their needs and deliver bespoke accommodation and support services for individuals with a learning disability and very complex needs, including individuals that are part of the Transforming Care Agenda.
This has resulted in new provision commencing in Suffolk, Surrey and Sutton, that includes an innovative supported living environment in Camberley consisting of self-contained flats that provides a discreet safe environment to support individuals with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs, including behaviours that challenge; and a new ‘state of the art’ residential service in Sutton with individualised flats designed to meet a wide range of diverse range of needs for individuals who require a level of independence but with the enhanced support, safety and structure of a residential setting. Both services are suitable for individuals who may have experienced failed placements, those transitioning into adult services and those currently placed out of area and looking to move closer to home. We also developed a bespoke supported living service which we funded, to support two brothers to live together, for the first time in many years, and they and their parents are delighted by this.
Enhancing the skills and quality of our colleagues with the Consensus Career Ladder
A new addition to this year’s Quality Report is the Consensus Career Ladder. Introduced in 2017, it was initially aimed at Support Workers and Team Leaders but in line with our commitment to continuous improvement, we have now developed a career ladder/pathway with clearly identified steps and pay scales to support and encourage all colleagues to develop their skills and knowledge and future potential within the company. Moving forward, our aim is to continue to support our colleagues progress by providing more opportunities to access apprenticeships and vocational qualifications as well as further developing our dedicated leadership programmes, including Future Leaders and Stepping Stone to Manager.