West Banbury Cottages

We found the following examples of good practice.

Facilities were in place to wash hands or use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving West Banbury Cottages. Visitors were supported to wear a face covering when visiting, and wash hands before/after use. All visitors were screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before being allowed to enter the service. There was prominent signage and instructions to explain what people should do to ensure safety. Information was easily accessible on arrival and before visits to ensure visitors followed guidance, procedures and protocols to ensure compliance with infection prevention control.

The registered manager communicated with people, staff and health and social care professionals regularly to make sure everyone had an understanding of precautions being taken, and how to keep people safe. The service was following government guidance regards to visitors. Relative comments, “(Relative) has been kept safe and well cared for through this awful time. (Registered manager) has interpreted the guidance to meet the best interests of (relative) and the other residents which we have been so thankful for. The staff have worked so hard to support the residents through this. All of the infection control practices and measures that have been put in place have protected (relative), the other residents and the staff”, “(Registered manager) was clear and informed us in writing that they were rigorously adhering to infection prevention and control measures. If we were planning a visit to the site, we would have to ring ahead and inform them. Everyone had to complete an LFD test and evidence needed to be provided. They asked us to continue having weekly PCR tests even though we are fully vaccinated, we were already doing this and happy to continue” and “The way in which (registered manager) and her team have enabled us to visit our son whenever rules allowed has been invaluable for our mental wellbeing and his. They should be commended for their efforts.”

Staff were following current infection prevention and control guidance to help people to stay safe. There were suitable risk assessments and an up to date infection control policy and procedure in place. The registered manager ensured staff understood why every measure was essential.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was readily available around the buildings. We saw there was a good supply of PPE for staff to use. Staff were observed to be wearing PPE appropriately and disposed of it in clinical waste bins. Whole home testing was undertaken, with frequency of testing people and staff in line with current guidance.

Staff had completed training to ensure safe infection prevention and control measure were in place and knew how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infection prevention and control audits were carried out to ensure the premises was meeting infection control measures. A cleaning schedule for all areas of the service was in place and implemented to ensure the whole service was effectively cleaned on a regular basis. In addition, the service had implemented an infection control tracker in all areas which required regular cleaning and sanitising throughout the day, including high touch points.

Staff supported people to occupy themselves whilst maintaining their safety. Staff helped people to stay in touch with their friends and family. Alternative forms of maintaining social contact were used for friends and relatives; for example: keeping in touch using video calls.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 15 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the layout of the site. West Banbury Cottages provides accommodation and personal care for up to 15 young adults with learning disabilities who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. The service consists of 10 cottages. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people living at West Banbury Cottages.

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

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.

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.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.

The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.

The service provided safe care to people. A relative commented: “(Relative) is safe and happy at West Banbury.” Medicines were safely managed on people’s behalf.

Care files were personalised to reflect people’s personal preferences. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them.

Staff relationships with people were caring and supportive. Relatives commented: “They (staff) really look after my son” and “I will say we are very happy with the care and service provided by West Banbury. The transformation in our son since he has been in their care has been so comforting.” Staff treated people with dignity and respect when helping them with daily living tasks. The service ensured people led meaningful and fulfilled lives.

There were effective staff recruitment and selection processes in place. People received effective care and support from staff who were well trained and competent.

Staff spoke positively about communication and how the registered manager worked well with them and encouraged their professional development.

A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received and continuous improvements were made in response to the findings.

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 (report published in March 2017).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for West Banbury Cottages on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

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.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated good:

The service continued to provide safe care to people. One person commented: “Staff keep me safe.” Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people’s freedom. People’s rights were protected because the service followed the appropriate legal processes. Medicines were safely managed on people’s behalf.

Care files were personalised to reflect people’s personal preferences. Their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet, which they enjoyed. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them.

There were effective staff recruitment and selection processes in place. People received effective care and support from staff who were well trained and competent.

The service was very caring and people had built strong relationships with each other and staff. People engaged in a wide variety of activities and spent time in the local community going to specific places of interest.

Staff spoke positively about communication and how the registered manager worked well with them and encouraged their professional development.

A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received and make continuous improvements.