The inspection took place on 13 June 2018 and was announced. At our last inspection on 8 May 2015, we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.Ashgate House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing 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.
Ashgate House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 10 people in one two-storey building. At the time of our inspection there were nine adults living at the home and one person on respite care, all of whom had a learning disability. The home is managed and run by Allied Care Limited, a large organisation who owns services throughout the UK.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. “People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy.
There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.
Checks were carried out during the recruitment process to ensure only suitable staff were employed.
There were arrangements in place for the safe management of people’s medicines and regular checks were undertaken.
The service was clean and had effective systems to protect people by the prevention and control of infection.
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 was aware of their responsibilities and had acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People’s nutritional and healthcare needs had been assessed and were met.
People were supported by staff who were suitably trained, supervised and appraised.
Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Care plans addressed each person’s individual needs, including what was important to them, and how they wanted to be supported.
People were involved in undertaking activities of their choice. People were cared for in a way that took account of their diversity, values and human rights.
Where appropriate, people’s end of life wishes were discussed and recorded.
People living at the home, their relatives and stakeholders told us that the management team was approachable and supportive. People and their relatives were supported to raise concerns and make suggestions about where improvements could be made.
The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and ensure that areas for improvement were identified and addressed.
The registered manager kept themselves informed of developments within the social care sector and cascaded important information to the rest of the staff team. This helped ensure that staff were informed and felt valued.