Background to this inspection
Updated
9 September 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.
This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the requirement notice in relation to Regulation 17 (Good Governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted as part of our Thematic Review of infection control and prevention in care homes
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
United Response – 2a St Albans Close is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of our inspection. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to check the COVID-19 status of the home and make arrangements to enter the home safely to reduce the risk of infection transmission.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We looked around the home and observed care. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and care workers. We spoke with two relatives over the telephone. We reviewed elements of three people’s care records and records relating to infection control and COVID-19 management.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We obtained feedback from two professionals who regularly visit the service.
Updated
9 September 2020
About the service: United Response – 2a St Alban’s Close accommodates up to four people with learning disabilities in a purpose built building. Four people were using the service at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service: During our inspection we identified a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 relating to Good governance. Care records were not always regularly reviewed or up to date. This had been identified via the provider’s audits but had not yet been actioned.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice 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. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways; promotion of choice and control, independence and inclusion.
Family members told us their relatives received a good service and were happy they were safe. Accidents and incidents were recorded and reviewed. Risk assessments were in place but not all records were up to date. The registered manager understood their responsibilities about safeguarding and staff had been appropriately trained. Arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines.
There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of people. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure and carried out relevant vetting checks when they employed staff. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions.
People’s needs were assessed before they started using the service. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence where possible.
People were supported to have maximum 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.
The provider had a complaints procedure and family members were aware of how to make a complaint. People, family members and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated Good (published November 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection. It was scheduled based on the previous rating.
Enforcement: Details of the action we have asked the provider to take can be found at the end of this report.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.