Archived: RNID Action on Hearing Loss Barron Winnicott Home

Updated 20 March 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The expert by experience’s area of expertise was working with people who have learning disabilities and physical and sensory impairments. The inspection team was supported by a registered sign language interpreter. This was because people living at the service and some staff communicated using different types of sign language.

Service and service type:

Barron Winnicott Home is a ‘care home’ (without nursing). People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did:

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. The registered provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We looked at the notifications we had received for this service. Notifications are information about

important events the service is legally obliged to send us within required timescales. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection, we looked at the care records of four people who use the service and some medication records. We reviewed all the staff files, and examined four in detail.

We looked at records related to the management of the service. These included checks and audits, training records, meeting minutes and health and safety documents. We reviewed policies and procedures including safeguarding, whistleblowing, complaints, mental capacity, recruitment and medicines. We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

During the inspection we spoke with eight people who lived at the service. The British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter supported us to communicate with people. We spoke with five members of staff, as well as the registered manager and deputy manager.

Updated 20 March 2019

About the service:

Barron Winnicott Home is a residential care home. It was providing accommodation and personal care to eight people who are Deaf or Deafblind and who have additional complex needs at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

• There were enough staff to meet people’s needs, although regular agency staff were used. The provider was actively recruiting to vacant posts, but everyone we spoke to during our inspection expressed concerns about staff changes and vacancies. People’s care needs continued to be met and staff provided individualised support.

• Staff felt supported by the management team, and received training, induction and supervision so that they could effectively perform their roles.

• People’s care records were personalised and identified what was important to them, although some sections were incomplete or had not been updated recently. The registered manager planned to address this.

• The environment was designed and adapted to meet people’s sensory needs. The registered manager had submitted a bid for funding to redecorate some areas. This would refresh the overall feel of the service.

• Risks to people and staff had been assessed and effective measures were in place to manage risks.

• Staff carried out checks and audits regularly at the service. Actions had been identified and were being addressed to improve the service and provide high quality care

• People were supported by staff who were kind and respectful. Staff knew people well, and knew how to communicate with individuals. People were happy living at the service, and they told us that staff were kind and caring.

• People were protected from the risk of harm. Policies, procedures and checks were in place to protect people and staff.

• Staff supported people individually to ensure their medicines were administered as prescribed and managed safely.

• People enjoyed a wide range of activities. Activities were meaningful and chosen by individuals.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (report published 13 October 2016)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. We will visit the service in line with our inspection schedule, or sooner if required.