Background to this inspection
Updated
21 December 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
3 Meadow View is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 had a manager registered with 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 on the first day.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with two visiting relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with four members of staff, the registered manager and assistant manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records, one staff recruitment file, induction and training records. We reviewed two people’s medication records. We looked at other records relating to the overall management, quality and safety of the service
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance and servicing records. We received feedback from a professional who had experience of the service.
Updated
21 December 2019
About the service
Royal Mencap Society - 3 Meadow View is a residential care home providing personal care for up to four people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection four people were living at the home.
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
There were enough skilled staff to meet people's needs. People received support and attention to safely engage in activities and daily living. Risks were well managed, and people received treatment and medication to keep them safe.
People could not talk to us about their experience of living at the service and being cared for by staff. However, we spent time with them observing how staff supported them. There was a stable staff team who were knowledgeable about the people living at the service and people were clearly at ease in the company of staff and each other.
Staff were committed to delivering care in a person-centred way based on people's preferences and wishes.
Staff treated people with dignity, kindness and compassion. There was a caring and friendly atmosphere between staff and people using the service.
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.
Staff had access to relevant training and regular supervision to equip them with the knowledge and skills to care and support people effectively.
Regular contact with healthcare professionals was maintained by staff so that healthcare and support needs could be monitored and acted upon as necessary. Care plans were reviewed and updated as required.
People were supported to engage in meaningful activities of their choice and were involved in their local community.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people 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.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. Relatives expressed confidence in the registered manager and staff, they said they were well informed and updated by the home about all aspects of the care provided.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 19 May 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.