Background to this inspection
Updated
22 February 2020
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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
SENSE-The Old Coach House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager who was registered with the CQC. The registered manager and the provider were legally responsible for how the service was run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was unannounced.
Before the inspection,
The provider had not been asked to complete a new Provider Information Return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We attempted to secure feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. This information helps support our inspections. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who have some limitations to their communication skills. We engaged with all five people who used the service and spoke with two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five staff and the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included daily records, health action plans, support plans and medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision, and a variety of records about the management of the service including policies and procedures. We looked at the premises which included people’s bedrooms, the kitchen, the laundry, the lounge and dining room.
Updated
22 February 2020
About the service
SENSE The Old Coach House is registered to provide personal care and accommodation to a maximum of five people. People have a visual and/or hearing impairment, learning disability, and/or autism. At the time of the inspection five people lived at the home.
The service applied the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensured that people who used 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. People using the service received planned and coordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and is inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider had quality assurance systems in place and action had been taken to make some improvements. We identified some issues that needed addressing that had not been identified by managerial observations or audits.
Relatives felt their family members were safe. People were supported by staff who knew how to protect them from avoidable harm. Generally, risks to people's health and well-being had been assessed and monitored to promote people’s safety. People received their medication as prescribed. Staff had been recruited safely and there were enough staff to meet people's needs and allow flexibility to people’s daily routines. The home was visibly clean and observed infection control practices.
Staff had received induction training. The training deemed as mandatory by the provider, had been received by staff and refreshed in line with the provider's timeframes. People were supported by staff who knew them and their needs well. People were encouraged, where possible, to make decisions about their care and their relatives were involved too.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff encouraged people to maintain a healthy diet. Referrals were made to healthcare professionals where required to ensure people's health needs were met.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service achieve the best possible outcomes, including independence and inclusion. People support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Relatives confirmed staff were kind and friendly and treated people with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to develop and maintain their independence skills. Visitors were greeted politely and were made to feel welcome.
Reviews of people’s care and support needs were undertaken regularly. Relatives were included in the review processes to ensure all their family members needs were known and addressed. Relatives felt comfortable to raise any complaints they had with the staff or registered manager. Relatives confirmed they were always kept up to date with important information relating to their family member and could contact the registered manager at any time.
Relatives told us the service was well-led and spoke positively of the manager and staff. Provider feedback processes had been used to gather information about the views of people and relatives about the service provision. The registered manager understood their regulatory responsibilities and their requirement to provide us (CQC) with notifications about important events and incidents that occurred whilst the service was delivering care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 02 August 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.