The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: West Avenue

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

32 West Avenue, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4SD (01392) 270760

Provided and run by:
Modus Care Limited

All Inspections

16 October 2014

During a routine inspection

We visited the service on 16 October 2014 unannounced.  At our last inspection in October 2013 we did not identify any concerns.

West Avenue is a care home offering care and support for up to six people.  The service supports people up to the age of 65 who have learning disabilities including Autistic Spectrum Disorder and associated conditions.   At the time of our visit there were four people receiving a service from West Avenue.   

When we visited there was no registered manager in post.  The home had been without a registered manager since October 2013.  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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. 

People said they felt safe and staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report if concerns were raised.  Risk management was important to ensure people’s safety.  Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people’s freedom.  Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how it applied to their practice.  We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).  

People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences and their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service.  They were encouraged to prepare their own meals to develop their skills and to promote their independence.  Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the right care and treatment.

Staff relationships with people were strong, caring and supportive.  Through our observations and discussions, we found that staff were motivated and inspired to offer care that was kind and compassionate.

Staffing arrangements, which included recruitment, were flexible in order to meet people’s individual needs.  Staff received a range of training and regular support to keep their skills up to date in order to support people appropriately.  Staff spoke positively about communication and how the manager worked well with them, encouraged team working and an open culture. 

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

16 October 2013

During a routine inspection

In this report the name of a registered manager appears who was not in post and not managing the regulatory activities at this location at the time of the inspection. Their name appears because they were still a Registered Manager on our register at the time.

We found that people were given choices about all aspects of their care. This included where and when they went out, times of getting up and going to bed, mealtimes and what food they ate. People said they were encouraged and supported to become more independent and autonomous. This had enabled them to go out on their own and undertake supported work placement.

People told us that they were always asked about their care and that their wishes were respected if they refused.

Staff undertook training including induction and refresher training for essential knowledge and skills. Staff were supported to undertake other training including national qualifications.

People were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. This included having a safeguarding policy and providing staff with safeguarding adults training. Staff explained what they would do if they became aware of a safeguarding issue. People in the home said that they had not experienced any abuse.

Staff monitored the quality of care through individual discussion and surveys. Staff had arranged a meeting for everyone to air their views.

18 February 2013

During a routine inspection

At the time of our visit the service was supporting two people who had been there for between two and three years. Both people had worked with the service on plans to become more independent and had been set goals to progress towards their overall objective. One person told us 'this is a good service and I want to continue to stay here until I am ready to go'.

The service had involved people in the service and their families in these goals. People had been supported to find organisations offering both work placements and social interaction in the community.

Staff worked with the people to develop both skills and confident enabling independence. We spoke to people and staff in the service along with a parent of one of the people during our visit. People told us that they enjoyed living at the service telling us 'I like living here, staff are friendly and there is a good management they are helping me a lot'.

On the day of our visit the people in the service where 'in and out' of the service so we briefly observed people interacting with staff. Both people and staff seemed comfortable, talking in a respectful and friendly manner. One person told us 'I am treated fairly and if I have any problems I go and talk to them'.

Parents told us that they are made to feel welcome and can visit or contact the service at any time.

Staff told us that they felt well supported and they are given and able to request training that supports them in their roles.

9 March 2012

During a routine inspection

There were three people living at the home on the day we visited. Staff who knew them well asked if they would speak with us, and one person agreed to do so. We observed the support that people received, much of this relating to their plans for the day which included outings locally. We spoke with the three staff on duty and the registered manager, who came to the home when informed of our inspection.

We found that people were enabled to develop or maintain relationships with others and to be part of a wider community. Individuals living at the home were involved in a community football team, undertook work experience at a garden nursery, went to local shops with staff, or undertook other physical activities such as swimming. All went to a social group for people with learning disabilities, which one person told us they looked forward to. People were supported to use public transport, although the home had its own transport also, and maintained links with family or friends. One person spoke to us about meetings with their advocate.

People using the service were generally physically able. They attended dental and medical appointments for example, ensuring their health was monitored by relevant professionals. They were encouraged to be involved in the daily running of the home, helping to clean their rooms, doing their laundry, and cooking or preparing meals with staff support as necessary. They received well planned and safe support, which was based on thorough assessment of their needs and consideration of their wishes. This promoted their privacy, independence and choice. One person confirmed they attended meetings with staff to talk about their care and hopes for the future.

People living at the home appeared at ease with the staff. They were supported by staff familiar to them, who knew them well and how to meet their needs. One person told us they thought the staff were good, and that staff kept them safe if other people at the home were being challenging, for example. They also felt able to speak to the manager or to the Nominated Individual and one of the directors (who represented the registered provider) if something was wrong.

One person told us that residents' meetings were not held but they had opportunities to give their views at their care review meetings or to any of the staff. They added that they were also able to speak with the provider's representatives when they visited the home. They felt they lived in a safe environment, in terms of the support they received and the upkeep of the home.

We saw a suggestions box and feedback forms in the entrance hall, along with the service's complaints procedure. Annual surveys were given to people using the service and their families amongst others, with individuals' responses then discussed with the person at their annual care review meeting. This meant that people's views were actively sought and listened to.