Archived: Marston Avenue

Updated 9 March 2019

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

We inspected Marston Avenue on 31 October 2018. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a bespoke respite care service and the provider is sometimes out of the office supporting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that they would be available to speak with us on the day of our inspection.

On the day of inspection we found that the person who had planned to spend some days there had cancelled their stay. However, we were able to speak with the person’s relative.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included notifications the provider is required by law to send us about events that happen within the service. We also reviewed the information included in the 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.

During our inspection we spoke with the provider and the deputy manager. We looked at records which included people’s care records, staff files and other records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection we spoke with 3 care staff and three relatives. We wrote to four external professionals who had been involved in people’s care to ask them for their views and experiences of the service.

Updated 9 March 2019

Marston Avenue is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Marston Avenue is owned by an individual provider who also manages the service. It therefore does not require a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Marston Avenue is a self-contained one bedded home offering a bespoke residential respite service. The service is connected to the provider’s home. The service specialises in caring for young and older adults who may have learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder. People who use the service can choose how long they wish to stay at the home. This can vary from a few days to a few weeks depending on their specific needs. Most people that have used the service have had their stay funded by their local authority.

We inspected Marston Avenue on 31 October 2018. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a bespoke respite care service and the provider is sometimes out of the office supporting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that they would be available to speak with us on the day of our inspection.

At our previous inspection in April 2016 we rated the service Good overall. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated any 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.

People continued to be cared for in a safe manner at Marston Avenue. People were supported to remain safe at the service. Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place and risks to people were regularly assessed and reviewed. Staff were suitably recruited and met the needs of the people using the service.

Staff were trained to carry out their roles effectively and worked with partnership organisations to meet people’s needs. 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 support this practice.

Staff were caring and compassionate, whilst treating people with dignity and respect. People were supported to be involved in decision making in relation to their care.

People received care that was personalised to meet their needs and were supported to partake in activities and maintain social relationships.

Staff had received training in the MCA (Mental Capacity Act) and understood the importance of gaining people’s consent before assisting them.

The service completed a detailed personalised support plan for each person with information provided in accessible formats. They kept people’s needs under review and made changes as required.

People using the service felt able to raise any concerns or complaints. There was a procedure in place for people to follow if they wanted to raise any issues. Staff also said they felt comfortable in raising any concerns should they have any.

The service was well led with a clear vision to drive the service forward and make improvements to the quality of care. Staff and people who used the service found the management team to be approachable.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.