Ms June Dunne - 26 Huntly Road

Updated 7 September 2018

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.

This inspection took place on 13 August 2018. We gave the provider three days’ notice of the inspection because it is a small service and we needed to ensure that the manager was on the premises at the time of our inspection.

The inspection was conducted by an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we checked the information we held about the service. We looked at any statutory notifications received and reviewed any other information we held prior to visiting. A statutory notification is information about significant events which the service is required to send us by law.

During the inspection we spoke with the manager, one member of care staff and one person who lived at the service. We also spoke to a relative on the telephone.

At the time of our inspection, there were only two people living at the home. On the day of our inspection, one person was absent from the service and was visiting family.

We looked at care records belonging to two of the people living at the home, three staff recruitment files, a sample of medication administration records, policies and procedures and other documents relevant to the management of the home.

We undertook general observations of the service and the care people received.

Updated 7 September 2018

26 Huntly Road is a residential dwelling in a suburb of Liverpool. The property is a spacious three storey Victorian property which is decorated to a high standard. People living at the home had access to a formal lounge/dining room, a kitchen, a lounge and a spacious bathroom located on the ground floor. People’s bedrooms were on the first floor and there was a toilet next to both bedrooms. The home had a well-maintained enclosed garden to the rear and was situated near to local amenities.

The service provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of three people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection, there were two people using the service.

This was an announced inspection which took place on 13 August 2018. The last inspection was in January 2016 when the service was rated ‘Good’.

26 Huntly Road is a ‘care home’. 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 manager in post who both owned and resided at the premises. A 'registered' manager is not required for this service as the service was managed by the owner (provider).

At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’ and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated 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.

Care records contained detailed information to identify people’s requirements and preferences in relation to their care. People had a choice in how they lived their lives at the home. Risks were appropriately assessed and documented in care records.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and managed appropriately.

There were enough staff to meet the needs of the people living at the home. Care was provided on a one to one basis.

We found that staff’s suitability to work with vulnerable adults at the home had been checked prior to employment. For instance, previous employer references had been sought and a criminal conviction check undertaken.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for checking the environment was safe. There were external contracts in place to check the safety of gas, electric and fire equipment.

Medication was managed safely and was administered by staff who were competent to do so.

Staff had received training which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to ensure people received adequate care. Staff were supported to do their job role through training and supervision.

Staff sought consent from people before providing support. Staff we spoke with understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure people consented to the care they received. The MCA is legislation which protects the powers of people to make their own decisions.

People were appropriately supported with their dietary needs and had choice about what they wanted to eat and drink.

Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect.

Staff used Makaton (a form of sign language) to communicate with people who were unable to communicate verbally.

People were supported to access external heath care services to promote their well-being.

People were involved in their care and we saw evidence that people’s hobbies and interests were recorded and catered for.

Feedback regarding the management of the home was positive. The manager was committed to continuous improvement.