Penrith Drive

Updated 27 March 2024

Date of assessment 27 August to 20 September 2024. Penrith Drive is a care home providing personal care for up to 6 autistic people and people with a learning disability. At the time of this assessment 5 people were living in the home. We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. This assessment was undertaken in response to risks relating to on-going monitoring of people’s health needs. This service had made some improvements since the last inspection, however, new concerns were identified.

The overall rating for the service is Requires Improvement based on the findings of this inspection. We found 3 breaches of regulation relating to infection prevention and control, safe environment and governance. Please see the Safe and Well led sections of this report. The environment required improving with more timely action when repairs were required. Cleaning schedules were not effective, and some parts of the home were visibly unclean. Leaders did not always have effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Staff followed national guidelines on stopping over medication of people with a learning disability and autistic people (STOMP). Staff used communication tools to enable people to express their views, wishes and to make decisions. People had access to external health and social care professionals when they needed them. Staff responded to changes in peoples’ wellbeing and needs and liaised with other services to help people live their best lives. People were supported to achieve independence with the support from staff who were caring and compassionate. Most concerns identified were addressed during the inspection which reduced the risks to people.

Updated 27 March 2024

We spent time observing people’s experiences of care as not everyone in the service could directly tell us about their experience. We saw staff mostly supported people in a dignified and respectful way and staff knew people well. People’s relatives were positive about the quality of the care. One relative told us they visit regularly and had no concerns about the care their loved one received. People’s relatives knew staff and leaders well. One relative told us, “I know the manager and deputy manager and the care staff really well. I am always welcomed and can visit anytime.” While the people we observed and most relatives expressed that they were generally happy with their care, our assessment found elements of care did not always meet the expected standards. Due to people living with complex needs, some restrictions were in place that were detrimental to people’s well-being. This was addressed during the inspection; however, this had not been identified by leaders of the organisation.