St Georges House

Updated 28 June 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector, a member of the CQC’s medicines team and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

St Georges House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. St Georges House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced.

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 5 June 2023 and ended on 20 June 2023. We visited the location’s service on 5 June and 8 June 2023.

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

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 people and 4 relatives. We spoke with 5 staff including the regional manager, registered manager, deputy manager and care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at 5 staff files in relation to recruitment, training, and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service including audits, policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 28 June 2023

About the service

St Georges House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to five people. At the time of the inspection there were five people using the service. Each person had their own bedroom and had access to a shared kitchen, shared bathroom and living areas. In addition, the home had a garden with a small courtyard area with seating and a sensory room.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support:

People were encouraged to pursue their goals and aspirations. However, some of the records did not fully detail steps and planning required to achieve these goals. Action was taken during the inspection process to address this.

Risk assessments were in place which provided guidance and direction to staff. These were reviewed regularly and updated to ensure they accurately reflected people’s needs.

Risks of the environment were assessed and monitored. A plan was in place to address any shortfalls identified.

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.

Right Care:

Staffing levels were appropriate, enabling people opportunity to explore social opportunities when they chose.

Staff had received training and were confident in applying this in their role. Additional specialist training had been provided to ensure staff were able to respond to people’s changing needs. Staff received regular supervisions which they found to be supportive of their development and well being.

Staff told us the registered manager was supportive and provided encouragement to them in developing their knowledge and skills.

Staff were passionate and motivated to provide safe person-centred care.

Staff understood the importance of promoting respectful, dignified care which offered privacy and encouraged independence.

Right Culture:

The quality assurance system in place identified failings and shortfalls of the service. Action plans were in place to drive change and improvement in the service.

People and their relatives were involved in the planning of their support.

The staff were a familiar and consistent team who knew people and their needs well.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 18 November 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.