Archived: Independent Care (Portsmouth) Limited - 64 Farlington Road

Updated 17 November 2016

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 inspection took place on 25 October 2016 and was unannounced. One inspector carried out the inspection.

Before the inspection we checked the information that we held about the service and the service provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We used all this information to decide which areas to focus on during our inspection.

During our inspection we observed how staff interacted with the person who used the service and supported them in the communal areas of the home. We looked at the care plans, risk assessment, incident records and medicines records for the person. We looked at training and recruitment records for one member of staff. We also looked at a range of records relating to the management of the service such as complaints, records, quality audits and policies and procedures.

We spoke with the person who used the service to ask them their views on the service provided to them. We also spoke to the registered manager and two members of staff.

The last inspection was carried out in September 2014 and no concerns were identified.

Updated 17 November 2016

Independent Care (Portsmouth) Limited 64 Farlington Road is registered to provide accommodation for up to three people living with a learning disability who are under the age of 65. Nursing care is not provided. At the time of our inspection there was one person living at the home. The registered manager told us that the provider had no intention of supporting any other service users. The home is a terraced house over two floors situated in Portsmouth.

The service had a registered manager 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The person being supported felt safe with the home’s staff. They had no concerns about their safety. There were policies and procedures in place regarding the safeguarding of adults and staff knew what action to take if they thought anyone was at risk of potential harm. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and care records contained risk assessments to manage them.

The person was supported to take their medicines as directed by their GP. Records showed that there were appropriate arrangements for obtaining, storing and disposing of medicines.

Thorough recruitment processes were in place for newly appointed staff to check they were suitable to work with people. Staffing numbers were maintained at a level to meet the person's needs safely. Observations showed sufficient staff were employed.

Staff provided support to help ensure meals were balanced and encouraged healthy choices.

Staff were aware of the persons health needs and knew how to respond if they observed a change in their well-being. The home was well supported by a range of health care professionals.

The CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. The provider had suitable arrangements in place to establish, and act in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005

Care plans informed staff of the support the person needed. Staff received training to help them meet the person’s needs. Staff received an induction and regular supervision took place. The person using the service said staff were knowledgeable about their care needs.

Privacy and dignity was respected. Staff had a caring attitude. We observed staff smiling and laughing with the person being supported. There was a good rapport with staff.

The registered manager operated an open door policy and welcomed feedback on any aspect of the service. There was a stable staff team who said that communication in the home was good and they always felt able to make suggestions. They confirmed management were open and approachable.

There was a clear complaints policy and people knew how to make a complaint if necessary.

The provider had a policy and procedure for quality assurance. The registered manager worked alongside staff and told us they all worked together as a team.

Weekly and monthly checks were carried out to monitor the quality of the service provided. The person being supported and staff were able to influence the running of the service and make comments and suggestions about any changes. Regular meetings with staff and the person who used the service took place. These meetings enabled the registered manager to monitor if needs were being met.