River View

Updated 13 August 2019

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

One inspector, carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

River View is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for adults with learning disabilities.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a registered manager. This means that when registered 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. The registered manager and provider were working closely with the local authority commissioners on improving the quality of the service.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time with people living at the service. We spoke with four people who used the service, an area manager, the registered manager, the activities co-ordinator, and two care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. These included three people’s care records and three medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at training and policies and additions to end of life care plans.

Updated 13 August 2019

About the service

River view is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care. The home accommodates up to 5 people in two adjoining houses. At the time of our inspection 5 people with learning disabilities were living at the houses.

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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We received positive feedback from people, they told us they were happy living at River view. They told us they felt safe, led busy life’s and had positive relationships with their staff team.

People did however, receive personalised support and staff knew people very well. Care plans were in place, but people had three different plans each which was confusing. Some information was person centred but this wasn’t always consistent across all three. We have made a recommendation that plans need to be reduced and improved.

People were supported to build and maintain important personal relationships that mattered to them, with both their peers and relatives.

The environment was very clean and homely and was in the process of being re decorated in places using people’s preferred choices of décor.

Audits and monitoring systems were used effectively to manage the service and to make improvements as and when required.

Medicines were managed well, safely administered and recorded accurately.

There were enough staff to support people and staff were always visible. Staff received support and a variety of appropriate training to meet people’s needs.

Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident to raise concerns appropriately to safeguard people. Robust recruitment and selection procedures ensured suitable staff were employed.

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.

Appropriate healthcare professionals were included in people’s care and support as and when this was needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink.

There were systems in place for communicating with staff, people and their relatives to ensure they were fully informed via team meetings, phone calls and emails. People had good links to the local community through regular access to local services.

People were supported to be independent, their rights were respected and access to advocacy was regularly available. Support was provided in a way that put the people and their preferences first. Information was readily available for people in the correct format for them, including easy read.

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 2 March 2018).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the registered provider and the handling of safeguarding concerns. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.