We carried out a review of the data available to us about Garth Brow (Adult Care Home) on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Garth Brow (Adult Care Home), you can give feedback on this service.
Garth Brow (Adult Care Home) 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 the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home provides personal care and accommodation for up to six adults who have a learning disability and/or autism. At the time of our inspection there were five people living in the home.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People told us this was a good home and “a nice place to live.”
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
The focus of the service was on providing care that centred on each individual and supported people’s independence and rights. People were supported to follow a range of activities they enjoyed in the home and the local community.
People were safe living in the home. The staff knew how to identify and report abuse and hazards to people’s safety had been identified and managed.
There were enough trained and skilled staff to provide people’s support. The staff knew people well and treated them in a kind and caring way.
People received the support they needed to manage their medicines and to access health care services as they required. People were supported to maintain their physical and mental health.
Care was planned and provided to meet people’s needs. Appropriate specialist services had been in included in planning people’s care.
People were provided with meals and drinks they enjoyed and given advice about making healthy eating choices.
People’s rights were respected. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.
The registered provider had a procedure for receiving and responding to complaints about the service. The staff in the home were confident to support people if they needed to complain about the service they received.
People were asked for their views and included in developing the service provided.
There was an experienced registered manager employed. People knew the registered manager and were confident approaching her as they needed. The registered manager was committed to providing a high quality service. The registered provider and registered manager monitored the service to check good standards were maintained.
The registered manager was aware of her responsibilities. She had informed us of significant incidents that had occurred in the home. This meant we could check appropriate actions had been taken.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
We carried out this announced inspection on 2 and 12 October 2015. We last inspected this service on 28 May 2014. At that inspection we found that the registered provider was meeting all of the regulations that we assessed.
Garth Brow (Adult Care Home), (Garth Brow), provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people who have a learning disability. There are four bedrooms in the main part of the home and suitable facilities including toilets, bathrooms, sitting and dining areas and a kitchen which people living in the home share. There are also two flats which are part of the home and which are used by two people who are able to live more independently.
There was a registered manager employed in the home. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were safe living at Garth Brow and were happy living at the home. They were treated with kindness and respect and their rights were protected.
The service focused on providing high quality care and people were given opportunities to gain independence and to develop their skills.
People were active members of the local community, some people were engaged in paid employment and other people were gaining skills to support them into employment.
People knew and liked the staff who worked at the home. There were enough staff to provide the support people needed. The staff were well trained and had the skills and knowledge to support people.
People received the support they required to maintain their health. Medicines were handled safely and people were protected against the misuse of medicines.
The home was well run. People knew the registered manager and trusted her to provide advice and guidance as they needed. The registered manager was aware of her legal responsibilities and carried out checks to ensure the high quality of the service was maintained.
Garth Brow (Adult Care Home), (Garth Brow), provides accommodation for up to six people who have a learning disability.
We spoke with all of the people who lived in the home and all of the staff who were on duty. We looked at some of the records held in the service to confirm what people told us.
We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask;
' Is the service safe?
' Is the service effective?
' Is the service caring?
' Is the service responsive?
' Is the service well-led?
This is a summary of what we found -
Is the service safe?
People said they felt safe living at Garth Brow. The staff on duty showed that they would take appropriate action if they were concerned about a person's safety or welfare. Risk assessments had been carried out to identify hazards to people's safety and to reduce and manage risks. Medication was stored safely and robust procedures were in place for the handling and administration of medication.
The home had appropriate policies and procedures regarding The Mental Capacity Act 2005 deprivation of liberty safeguards. The manager of the home was knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Capacity Act Codes of Practice. This meant people could be confident that their rights would be protected.
Is the service effective?
People told us the staff knew the support they required and provided this when they needed it. There were enough staff, with the appropriate skills, to meet people's needs and to provide a good standard of care. The staff had completed a range of training to give them the skills to support people safely. People were supported to attend health care appointments as they needed. Where people had more complex needs they were supported by appropriate specialist health services.
Is the service caring?
People told us that they were happy living at Garth Brow. They made choices about all aspects of their lives and the support they received. One person told us, 'It's nice here' and another person said, 'I like it, it's good'. The staff in the home knew the support individuals required and provided this in a patient and considerate way. The staff treated people with respect.
Is the service responsive?
People were placed at the centre of decisions relating to their care and their lives in the home. People's needs were assessed and support was planned and delivered to meet individuals' needs. There were enough staff to provide the care individuals required and to support people to access activities in the local community. The service was flexible to the needs and wishes of people in the home.
Is the service well led?
People who lived in the home and the staff employed there were asked for their views about the home. The manager of the home assessed the quality of the service. Staff in the home understood their responsibilities and had received appropriate training. The registered provider for the home had a good oversight of the quality of the service.
One person told us, 'It's great here',
And another person said, 'I like the staff, they help me'.
In this report the name of a registered manager appears who was not in post and not managing the regulated 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.
People we spoke to said they took part in a variety of activities which they chose and which they enjoyed.
People living in the home told us,
'I like it here',
'The staff are nice',
And said, 'I like the meals.'