The Spinal Unit Action Group

Updated 12 June 2024

Date of Assessment: 28 February 2025 to 20 March 2025.The Spinal Unit Action Group, known as '6 Weld Road' is located in a residential area of Southport. Accommodation is provided for up to 12 people who are physically disabled. There were 11 people living at the home at the time of this assessment.

We carried out a site visit to the home 28 February 2025, with the remainder of the assessment being conducted offsite. The assessment was prompted in part due to concerns received about people’s safety. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We assessed a total of 15 quality statements from the safe and well-led key questions.

There was a registered manager in post, however they were on planned leave at the time of our assessment site visit, the deputy manager assisted us during the visit, and we gathered further information from the registered manager on their return.

We found a breach in regulation in relation to governance. The provider had not established consistent and effective governance systems and processes. There was a lack of regular checks and audits to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.

Safety checks of the environment and equipment had not always been carried out at the required intervals and some checks and audits did not always fully review areas of potential risk. The providers formal process for staff supervisions and appraisals was not followed to enable staff to discuss and identify any training needs, their performance and areas for development. However, staff told us they felt well supported on a day-to-day basis. The provider had not developed a service improvement plan (SIP) to address any areas for improvement including those identified by other agencies.

The overall rating is requires improvement.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 12 June 2024

People were very positive about their experiences of the care they received at the home. People told us they felt safe and were treated well, they also told us they were confident about raising any concerns about their safety. Their comments included, “Couldn’t ask for a better place and better staff, they look after me so well, not a bit worried about my safety if I was, I’d tell one of the staff” and “Very safe indeed, being unsafe has never crossed my mind. I’d certainly tell someone if I had any worries at all.” People told us staff supported them safely with the right equipment to enable them to move around the environment independently. One person told us, “I feel safe when they [staff] help me into my wheelchair, they take their time and make sure I’m ok,” People told us their bedrooms and other communal areas were kept clean and hygienic. One person said, “My room is cleaned every day” and another person said, “Everywhere here is kept nice and clean.” People told us they knew what medicines they were prescribed, and staff provided them with the right support to make sure they received them on time. One person said, “I always get my tablets bang on time” and another person said, “They [staff] prepare my medication and hand them to me as I can take them myself, they sign the record after I’ve taken them.” People were complimentary about the registered manager, their comments included, “[Managers name] is great, cares a lot,” “Think [managers name] does a great job, can talk to them about anything” and “[Managers name] always takes time to speak with me.”