Meadowsweet

Updated 28 June 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Meadowsweet 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 spoke with one person and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. On the day we spoke with the registered manager and two support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four 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.

Updated 28 June 2019

About the service

Meadowsweet is a residential home providing personal care to people with a learning disability. Meadowsweet accommodates up to 6 people in one adapted building.

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

People were safe and there were enough staff to meet their needs. The premises were well maintained, and any incidents or accidents were appropriately investigated. Staff understood how to safeguard people and action was taken to mitigate risks to people. We have made a recommendation about the management of ‘as needed ‘medicines and assessment of staff competency.

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. People received support to meet any healthcare or nutritional needs. People’s needs were appropriately assessed and the home environment was catered to meet people’s needs.

The home was caring, with staff knowing people’s needs well. People were treated with dignity and respect and involved in decisions about their care. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible and carry out day to day tasks for themselves.

The home was responsive to people’s needs and ensured they were enabled to participate in meaningful activity that was important to them. An appropriate complaints policy was in place for people, relatives and other stakeholders to raise any concerns. People’s end of life wishes were discussed where appropriate.

The management of the home was robust in ensuring that there was suitable day to day oversight. Relatives and staff were positive about the management of the home. The registered manager understood their responsibilities and ensured consistency of care.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service 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.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 28 January 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.