Duke Street Bungalows

Updated 28 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 14 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 28 April 2021

About the service:

Duke Street Bungalows 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 care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service supported people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The service was registered to care for 20 people; 15 people were using the service.

Duke Street Bungalows accommodates 15 people across three separate bungalows, each of which has separate adapted facilities. Each bungalow had a kitchen with an adjoining dining room, communal area, laundry and shared bathrooms with appropriate facilities. Each bungalow also had an office where people’s care plans were kept. People had individual bedrooms. Five people lived in one bungalow, four people lived in a second bungalow and six people lived in a third bungalow.

People’s experience of using this service:

• The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values of 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 received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

• Some staff did not always promote people’s dignity and privacy. Some staff did not always provide person-centred support by listening to people and engaging them at every opportunity. Most staff were very kind and caring and people using the service responded well to them.

• People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

• Staff were trained and supported to be skilled and efficient in their roles. They were very happy about the level of training and support they received and most staff showed competence when supporting people.

• The provider sought the views of people’s relatives and took opportunities to improve the service. Staff were supervised, supported and clear about what was expected of them. Audits and checks were carried out, so any problem could be identified and rectified.

• The provider had processes in place for recruitment, staffing levels, medicines management, infection control and upkeep of the premises which protected people from unsafe situations and harm.

• Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and discrimination. They knew to report any concerns and ensure action was taken. The registered manager worked with the local authority safeguarding adults team to protect people.

• The premises provided people with a variety of spaces for their use with relevant facilities to meet their needs. Bedrooms were very individual and age and gender appropriate.

• Support plans were detailed and reviewed with the person when possible, staff who supported the person and family members. Staff looked to identify best practise and used this to people’s benefit. Staff worked with and took advice from healthcare professionals. People’s health care needs were met.

• People had a variety of internal activities (such as music and games) and external activities which they enjoyed on a regular basis.

We have made a recommendation about involving people in decisions about their care.

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

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Good (13 October 2016). At this inspection, the overall rating has remained the same.

Why we inspected:

This was an unannounced, planned inspection to confirm that this service remained Good.