Inverthorne

Updated 18 April 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 was planned to check 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 12, 16 and 22 March 2018 and was unannounced. An adult social care inspector attended Inverthorne on 12 March and on 16 and 22 March and telephoned relatives to obtain their views about the service.

We reviewed other information we held about the service, including any statutory notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send us within the required timescale. We also contacted the local authority commissioners for the service and the local authority safeguarding team, the clinical commissioning group (CCG) and the local Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make

We looked at care records for two people who used the service. We examined documents related to recruitment, supervision and training, and various records about how the service was managed. We were not able to speak to all of the people who used the service because some of the people had complex needs, which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences, so we asked their relatives for their views.

We spoke to two relatives, the registered manager, the assistant manager and three staff members.

We undertook general observations of how staff interacted with people as they went about their work. We looked around the home and visited people’s bedrooms with their permission.

Updated 18 April 2018

This inspection took place on 12, 16 and 22 March 2018 and was unannounced. Which meant the provider and staff did not know we would be visiting.

Inverthorne is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Inverthorne is registered to provide residential care and support for up to four adults with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection three people were living at the home.

A registered manager was in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

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.

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

We were not able to speak to all of the people who used the service because some of the people had complex needs, which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences, so we asked their relatives for their views.

Relatives told us their family members were safe. Processes were in place to ensure people were protected from abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and were confident actions would be taken if they ever had to raise concerns.

The provider continued to have a robust recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks prior to staff starting employment.

Medicines continued to be managed safely. Medicines records we viewed were accurate and up to date including records for the receipt, return and administration of medicines. The provider ensured checks were in place to maintain the safety of the home. Systems were in place to ensure people would remain safe in the event of an emergency.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded. Where risks were identified they were assessed and managed to minimise the risk to the person.

Sufficient suitable staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. Relatives told us staff had the appropriate skills and knowledge to support their relative. Training was up to date. Staff had the opportunity to discuss their development at regularly held supervisions and at an annual appraisal.

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.

People were supported to have a balanced diet. People were supported to make their own choices and to be as independent as possible. The service engaged with multi agencies to ensure people received joined up care.

People were treated with dignity and respect. An established staff team was in place with extensive knowledge about the people they supported. Care plans were comprehensive and detailed people’s needs and how they wished to be supported. Reviews were regularly completed.

People were supported to be independent and active as possible, follow their interests and take part in social activities. Relatives told us they were made welcome at the home and were updated regularly.

The provider had systems to audit the running of the service. Staff and relatives were complimentary about the registered manager. Staff, people and relatives were regularly asked for their feedback about the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.