Background to this inspection
Updated
19 February 2022
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 how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 27 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
19 February 2022
About the service
Beaufort House is residential care home for up to six people with a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum condition. At the time of the inspection six people were using the service. The home is an adapted building in the centre of Redcar.
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 service was a small home, similar to a domestic style property. Six people were using the service. This is in line with current best practice guidance for small services accommodating six people or less. The layout and design of the service supported people to be independent. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People said they were happy at the home. Comments included, “I am happy. I feel safe in my home.” The support from staff enabled people to lead fulfilled lives and remain safe. Care was very individualised and the risks to people were managed. There were always enough staff on duty to safely support people.
People were involved in menu planning and were positive about the menus. One person said, “I really enjoy the food. I get my favourite meals.” People were supported with their health and they had choice in all aspects of their lives. Staff were very experienced and were supported to provide the right care to people.
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 were very caring. The ethos of the home was central to the approach which staff used. People were involved in all aspects of their care. Relatives were positive about the care provided, comments included, “We are happy with the staff and how they look after [person]. They are happy and that is the main thing.”
People received care which reflected their needs, wishes and interests. Care records accurately reflected people’s needs. People had lots of choice about the activities which they participated in. All knew how to raise a concern if they needed to.
The staff team worked very well together and were positive about the home. Staff said, “We are homely, caring and supportive. We want the best for residents and work to give them the best quality of life. We are a good staff team, we get on and pull together.” Quality assurance measures demonstrated people received the best care.
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 can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 3 May 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.