Neat Marsh House

Updated 19 November 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

Neat Marsh House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We looked at information we already held on the service. We contacted the local authority contracts monitoring and safeguarding teams for their views of the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We observed people spending time in their flats, spoke with the registered manager and three staff and reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, support plans and medication, incident and accident documents. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision, with a visit to the organisation’s headquarters straight after the site visit.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 19 November 2019

About the service

Neat Marsh House is a residential care home providing personal care to four people with learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were four people using the service. One adapted building has been designed to house four separate flats, each with lounge, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. A communal lounge and laundry are also available to people that use the service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected from harm and risk, as safeguarding and risk management systems were followed. Staff recruitment, staffing numbers, management of medicines and infection control were based on robust practice and systems that also meant people were safe.

People’s needs were effectively assessed including around health, nutrition and mobility and staff had the training and supervision needed to meet them. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by caring, understanding and compassionate staff, who respected people’s privacy, dignity, independence and diversity. This was achieved using person-centred support and positive behaviour support.

The service applied the principals and values of Registering the Right support and other best practice guidance. These principles ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff had the experience and skills to meet people’s end of life needs, address complaints and communicate with people in their preferred way. The service was led by a registered manager who understood the responsibilities of their registration, quality monitoring and satisfaction systems. They fostered a positive and collaborative culture.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (report published 14 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.