92 North Street

Updated 21 April 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 25 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 21 April 2021

About the service:

92 North Street provides accommodation to people who have learning disabilities and complex health needs. The care home is a purpose built building and is registered to provide care for up to 12 people. At the time of our inspection visit there were 11 people living at the home. This is larger than current best practice guidance, because the service was developed and designed prior to Registering the Right Support. However, the service applies the principles of the guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service:

• Improvements had been made since our previous inspection to the way the quality of the service was managed and processes had improved to ensure people were supported in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

• People felt safe using the service.

• Staff recognised the risks to people’s health, safety and well-being and understood how to identify and report abuse.

• People had access to support from staff when needed.

• Staff recruitment processes included a check of their background to review their suitability to work at the service.

• People received support with the medicines. Regular checks were undertaken to ensure people received the correct medicines by staff who were competent to support them.

• Staff understood and practised infection control techniques and had access to protective equipment to promote this.

•The registered manager ensured people’s care was based on best practice and staff had training to meet people’s needs.

• Staff training was reviewed and guidance on people’s needs was also shared through supervision meetings and group staff meetings.

• People were supported to have enough to eat and drink to maintain their well-being.

• People were supported to obtain advice from healthcare professionals, which was incorporated into people’s care.

• People had choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

• Staff understood the importance of supporting people with empathy and compassion and provided reassurance when people became anxious.

• People were treated with dignity and their independence was promoted wherever possible.

• People and those important to them, were involved in planning their care with support.

• Staff supported people with activities that reflected their interests.

• People and their families understood how to complain if they wanted to.

• There had been staffing changes since our last inspection, including new senior management. Staff were positive about the changes and improvements to the service.

• The registered manager was open and honest, and worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve people’s support when required.

We found the service met the characteristics of a 'Good' rating in all areas; More information is available in the full report.

Rating at last inspection:

Requires Improvement with breaches of the Health and Social Care 2008 (HCSA 2008) Regulations 9 and 11 (report published 24 October 2017)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The inspection was to monitor improvements to the service the provider had promised to make to address breaches of regulations 9 and 11 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk