Shining Star

Updated 26 February 2022

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Shining Star 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 service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. There was a manager at the service applying to be registered. A registered manager 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 reviewed the information we already held about this service. This included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and any notifications of significant incidents the provider had sent us. 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three members of staff including two care staff, and the registered manager. We also spoke with one visiting professional about their views of the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medicines records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We received feedback over the phone from one relative of people living at the service.

Updated 26 February 2022

About the service

Shining Star is a residential care home which was providing personal care to three people at the time of our inspection. All people living at the service were autistic or had learning disabilities. The service can support up to four people in one adapted building over two floors.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Their model of care was person centred, placing people at the heart of the care. People’s choices were what motivated staff in their roles and the provider wanted people to live empowered lives.

People were kept safe. Medicines were managed in a safe way; people’s medicines folders were up to date and audited correctly. Infection control practice had improved since our last inspection; the service followed national guidance and sought to keep people safe from infection. There were systems in place to protect people from abuse. People’s risks were assessed and monitored. There were enough staff working at the service and recruitment processes were robust. Lessons were learned when things went wrong as incidents were recorded and actions completed to keep people safe.

The service worked effectively. People were supported to eat, drink and maintain healthy diets. 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. Deprivation of Liberties Safeguard documentation was up to date. People’s choices were respected, and decisions made in their best interests. People’s needs were assessed in line with the law, so the service knew whether they could meet their needs. Staff received induction and training, so they knew how to work effectively with people. Staff were supported in their role through one to one supervision. Staff communicated effectively with other agencies to ensure people received good care, this included health care. The provider had adapted the building to ensure it met people’s needs and people could decorate their rooms as they saw fit.

The service was caring. A relative told us staff were caring. People were supported to express their views in key work sessions. People’s privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence promoted.

The service was responsive. Care plans were person-centred focusing on people’s needs and preferences. People’s communication needs were met. People were able to take part in activities they could enjoy. There was a complaint process where people or relatives could complain and when they did, the provider responded appropriately. People’s end of life wishes were recorded.

The service was well led. Record keeping at the service had improved since our last inspection and documents we viewed were up to date. Quality assurance measures were appropriate and working to ensure care remained good and people were safe. The manager was thought of highly by staff, as well as the relative and advocate we spoke to. The manager understood duty of candour and fulfilled the service’s regulatory requirements. People, relatives and staff were able to be engaged with the service should they choose to be. The service worked with other agencies to the benefit of people using the service.

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

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was requires improvement published (29 March 2021) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.