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Archived: 75 Hill End

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

75 Hill End Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0RA (01727) 811906

Provided and run by:
New Directions Flexible Social Care Solutions Ltd

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Background to this inspection

Updated 23 June 2017

This inspection took place on 11 and 15 May 2017. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications that had been submitted. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us.

During the inspection we observed staff supporting people who used the service. We spoke with two people who used the service, three care staff, the home manager and the registered manager. We received feedback from two relatives of people who used the service to understand more about their experience of the service, and how they were supported to live their lives.

We received feedback from commissioning staff. We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed care records relating to three people who used the service, two staff recruitment records and other documents relating to people's health and well-being. These included staff training records, medication records and quality monitoring audits. We reviewed information from staff meeting and resident co-production meetings.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 23 June 2017

The inspection took place on 11 and 15 May 2017 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection since the service was registered in August 2016.

75 Hill End Lane provides accommodation for up to 7 people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and or physical disabilities. At the time of this inspection there were 7 people living 75 Hill End Lane.

There was a registered manager in post who was registered with CQC. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People told us they felt safe living at 75 Hill End Lane. Staff understood how to keep people safe and risks to people's safety and well-being were assessed and kept under regular review to help to keep people safe. People had their needs met in a timely way and we observed there were sufficient numbers of staff who had the right skills and experience to support people safely. People's medicines were managed safely, by staff who had received training.

There was a robust recruitment process in place. Pre-employment checks were completed prior to staff commencing work at the service. This helped to ensure that staff who were employed at the service were suitable to work in this type of care setting.

Staff received regular support from their line managers which included attending team meetings and individual supervision with their line manager. Staff told us they felt well supported.

People received support and encouragement they needed to eat and drink sufficient amounts to help maintain their health. People were supported to maintain their physical and mental health and staff made referrals to healthcare professionals when required.

People and their relatives gave positive feedback about their experience of the service. They were also complimentary about the staff and management at the service. We observed staff to be kind and caring. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual requirements in relation to their care and support needs and preferences. People and or their relatives had been involved in the planning of their care where they were able to and where this was appropriate.

Visitors were welcomed to visit family members at all times as long as this was arranged in advanced with staff in case people were out. There was a cheerful ambience around the home. People were supported to pursue hobbies and things that were of interest to them both at the service and the community.

There were arrangements in place to receive feedback from people who used the service and their relatives. People were able to raise any concerns they had and told us that they were confident they would be listened to and any concerns raised would be addressed.

There were systems and processes in place to regularly monitor the quality of the care and support provided for people who used the service. Where shortfalls were identified actions were in place to make the required improvements.