The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Condover House

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Condover House, Condover, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7AA (01743) 872250

Provided and run by:
Condover College Limited

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

08 July 2014

During a routine inspection

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 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service.

This was an unannounced inspection. It was last inspected in December 2013 and no areas of concern were identified.

Condover House provides accommodation and personal care in four houses for up to 21 adults with a learning disability or autism. Three houses accommodate people for long term care and one house accommodates people for respite care. There were 13 people living at Condover House when we visited. There was also one person in respite.

The home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. We saw that there were policies and procedures in relation to the MCA and DoLS to ensure that people who could make decisions for themselves were protected. We saw from the records we looked at that where people lacked the capacity to make decisions about something, that best interest meetings were held.

We looked at care plans for four of the people that lived there. They covered a range of needs and had been reviewed regularly to ensure that staff had up to date information. There were also detailed assessments about the person's health that included specific care plans.  We observed that staff were able to support people with dignity and respect in a safe and caring manner. We found that people who needed help to manage their anxiety were effectively supported by staff. We saw that when required other health professionals had been involved to help develop strategies for doing this.

Care records we looked and what we observed demonstrated to us that the social and daily activities that were provided had been decided upon by each person. For example we saw that some people chose to go shopping for items for their home. We saw that staff then supported people to do this activity.

Systems were in place to monitor and review people’s experiences and complaints to ensure improvements were made where necessary. Staff supported people to communicate their wishes and views, including for people who could not speak. For example we observed that Makaton (a form of sign language) was being used with a person who could not speak.

All of the professionals, relatives and staff felt that the service was well led. There were systems in place to ensure that the provider was able to monitor the quality and safety of the service that was provided.

10 December 2013

During a routine inspection

We met and spoke with 12 of the 13 people who were currently receiving a service. People who were able to share their experiences spoke positively about the care and support they received. Comments included, 'I like living here, it's a nice comfy house' and, 'We go out a lot. I like shopping and going to parties'.

People were involved in planning and reviewing their care and support. They told us they attended meetings with the staff and were happy with the support they received. We saw people were encouraged to do things for themselves such as making their own drinks and keeping their rooms tidy. This ensured they were provided with opportunities to maintain and develop their independence.

Staff we spoke with considered there were enough staff employed most of the time to ensure people received a safe and reliable service. They told us they welcomed the five new members of staff who had joined the team and were currently undergoing their induction training.

Staff received a range of training to equip them with the skills and knowledge they needed to provide support to the people using the service. Staff told us they were well supported and found the new registered manager approachable and supportive. Staff spoke passionately about their work. One support worker told us, 'I absolutely love my job. We've had a few blips due to staff sickness but things are definitely on the up'.

We found the provider had a system to assess and monitor the quality of service that people received. The manager was aware of areas requiring improvement. This included reviewing records.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

We issued a compliance action in November 2012 as steps were needed to ensure hygiene was maintained to protect people's health. We have now reviewed evidence from the provider. This demonstrated that the steps carried out by the manager and provider were effective in maintaining a hygienic environment. Compliance with the regulation had been achieved.

23 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and two visiting relatives. We observed positive staff interaction with eight people during a mealtime. We looked around three houses as one was empty for adaptation. We looked at care records about two people, records about staff and the running of the home. We spoke with six staff, the manager and two provider managers.

People led active lives and liked the home, their activities and the food. Relatives commented, 'The home is a happy place and X is very well looked after.' There were enough staff to provide people with consistent care, stimulation and personal development. Dietary needs were well met. We saw that people got along well together and had good relationships with staff.

Best interest care and treatment decisions were made with people who used the service, their relatives and health professionals. Individual needs in relation to gender, ethnicity, cultures and beliefs were well met. Health conditions and people's safety were closely monitored and staff had training to do so.

Three houses were clean but we found potential hygiene and infection control risks posed to people. Action was needed by the manager and provider to maintain adequate hygiene standards to fully protect people's health. There were systems in place to learn from any incidents, safeguarding concerns or complaints should they arise.

1 March 2011

During a routine inspection

One person shared their experiences of what it's like living at Condover House and the range of activities and trips that people are supported to take part in. They told us people go shopping, go to church, cinema, garden centres, horse riding, hydrotherapy, yoga, and have also been to X Factor Live, Dancing on Ice and a Take That concert. They said, 'I like living here, the best thing about it is I make my own choices about what I want to do, what I want to wear and what I eat. I help interview new staff and do my own questions to ask them. We have house meetings and talk about the things we want to do and choose the meals we want to eat. I go to Slimming World and staff help me to make sure I eat the right things. The staff are very good and help me. I think there is enough staff to look after us'.

Staff told us about the individual needs of the people and how they support them. They said that people's needs are 'definitely met' and 'very well met indeed'. They told us if people's needs change their support plan is updated so that staff know how to support them.

Staff told us that they receive excellent training opportunities. One person said 'Managers encourage professional development here. We get massive training opportunities and the courses are not just limited to what they offer. If we see a course that would benefit the young people we can do it'.

All the staff we spoke with told us that they were happy with the staffing levels and that these are flexible to support the changing needs of individuals and their preferred lifestyles. One person told us 'This is very much a person led organisation and if people's needs change we adapt to meet their needs or offer them alternative places if they wish to remain in the organisation'.

Staff told us that senior managers operate an open door policy. They told us that they feel well supported; that managers are very approachable and that they are always given opportunities to reflect on their working practice in the best interests of people using the service. One person told us 'The support is brilliant here' another person said 'I'm really impressed with how much work goes into supporting people to make choices'.

One person said 'I love working here. I feel like I'm really making a difference and maximising individual potential. It's absolutely brilliant. The social and leisure opportunities that people get are fantastic'.

Professionals told us 'I couldn't speak highly enough of the staff. They are very professional and amaze me at the dedication they've shown'.

'The managers of the service are excellent, very approachable and always follow things through. They work in the best interests of the people using the service'.