The Meadows Short Break Centre

Updated 22 December 2017

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 comprehensive inspection was carried out by one inspector on 20 November 2017 and was unannounced.

We did not send the provider a Provider Information Return (PIR) before this inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We last requested a PIR in August 2015, which the provider had completed.

People who used the service were not able to share their views with us, however following this inspection we contacted three relatives by telephone to obtain their views on the service provided. We also contacted five health and social care professionals to receive their feedback.

During the course of the inspection we spoke with one relative, three care staff, the registered manager and the deputy manager. To help us understand the experiences of people who lived in the home we spent time in the communal lounge/ dining room and were able to observe interactions between people and staff members and the support offered. We reviewed two people’s care records, two staff personnel files and records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 22 December 2017

The Meadows Short Break Centre offers short breaks for adults with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. These breaks can be for a few hours (tea visit) or an overnight stay; longer stays can also be accommodated (up to two weeks). Accommodation is in four single en-suite rooms. It is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to a maximum of four people. The service had a contract with about 44 people who regularly used the respite facility. There were four people at the service at the time of the inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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’s relatives told us that they were confident that people were safe when they stayed at The Meadows.

Risks to people’s health and well-being were identified, planned for and managed. There were sufficient competent and experienced staff to provide people with appropriate support when they needed it.

People received care from staff who knew them well. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. Relatives were positive about the care and support provided.

Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines in a way they could manage.

People were supported to have 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.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health and social care professionals when necessary.

Relatives knew how to make a complaint and were sure they would be listened to and any concerns acted upon.

The registered manager, deputy and staff had created a warm welcoming atmosphere for people and their friends and families. There were close relations with social and healthcare professionals and the quality and safety of the service was reviewed regularly.