Oakfield at Yardley Hastings

Updated 9 January 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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Oakfield at Yardley Hastings is registered as a ‘care home’, and as a supported living service. 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.

This service also provides a supported living service. Oakfield at Yardley Hastings provides care and support to people living in one ‘supported living’ home, alongside people receiving residential care, encouraging people to live as independently as possible in their own self-contained flat, with some shared communal areas. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living.

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

This inspection was unannounced.

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. We also asked Healthwatch for their feedback on this service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

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 met eight people who used the service, three members of care staff, the deputy manager, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at all staff documentation in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 9 January 2020

About the service

Oakfield at Yardley Hastings is a residential care and supported living service providing personal care for people with learning disabilities and autism. At the time of inspection, there were three people receiving residential care and seven people using the supported living service.

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 supports people in a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to ten people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the building supports people requiring residential care in the same building as the people who receive the supported living service. The size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were identifying signs and CCTV however these were discrete and helped to blend the building into the residential area and to minimise the identification of 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 enjoyed living at the home and were empowered to live a fulfilled life. The provider was extremely skilled and committed to forward planning and considering people’s future.

People received safe care, and staff understood safeguarding procedures and how to raise concerns. Risk assessments were in place to manage risks associated with people’s lives, and staff we spoke with felt safe supporting people with a wide range of needs.

Staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out. Medicines were stored safely, and records showed that they were administered correctly.

Staffing support matched the level of assessed needs within the service and staff were trained to support people effectively.

People were supported to have their nutritional needs met. Healthcare needs were met, and people had access to health professionals as required. Care plans outlined any support people required to manage their healthcare needs.

People's consent was gained before any care was provided. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them.

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.

Care plans reflected peoples’ likes, dislikes and preferences. People were empowered to make their own choices about what interests they pursued. This included holidays and activities with staff they enjoyed spending time with.

A complaints system was in place and used effectively. The registered manager was keen to ensure people received good care and support and listened to feedback when provided.

Investigations took place into accidents, incidents and any events that could be learnt from. Learning was shared with the team and improvements were made when required.

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 9 June 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.