The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Albany House - Redruth

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Albany House, 129 Albany Road, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 2JB (01209) 210526

Provided and run by:
Susan Patricia Kennaugh & Michael Peter Kennaugh

All Inspections

30 August 2017

During a routine inspection

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Albany House on 30 August 2017. This was an announced inspection. We told the provider one day before our inspection visit that we would be coming. This was because we wanted to make sure there would be people to speak with and we would have access to records. At the previous inspection the service was rated good. At this inspection the rating remained good.

Albany House provides accommodation and personal care for up to four people who have a learning disability. During this inspection four people were living at the service.

The service is situated in a residential area close to the centre of Redruth. All the people living at Albany House were mobile and had a good level of independence which meant there was no need for the use of mobile aids and adaptations. Some people using the service were supported to use community facilities.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and the registered manager understood their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for the administration and storage of medicines.

Risk assessments were in place to minimise the potential risk of harm to people who lived at the service. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care and support people required.

People told us they felt safe living at Albany house. Comments included, “I do feel safe here. I like living here. I have everything I need” and “(Registered manager) is very kind and helps me with everything.”

People had their healthcare needs met and there were examples of how people's health needs had been effectively responded to. People were treated with dignity and respect and independence was promoted wherever possible.

There were no additional staff employed at the service other than the registered providers. However, where necessary they were supported by a person with the necessary recruitment checks and experience to support people living at Albany House.

People were able to do things they enjoyed and keep in touch with those people who were important to them.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People and relatives knew how to raise any complaints they had and were confident staff would take action if this happened.

Checks were undertaken on the quality of the care by the registered manager through regular communication and by seeking the views of people using the service and their relatives.

Most service certificates were in place to show the service maintained its Gas, fire and electric systems. However the electric maintenance certificate was out of date. This was being addressed by the registered manager to ensure the systems were safe.

To Be Confirmed

During a routine inspection

We inspected Albany House on 3 September 2015. This was an announced inspection. We told the provider two days before our inspection visit that we would be coming. This was because we wanted to make sure people would be at home to speak with us. The service was last inspected in September 2013. During that inspection visit we found the service was meeting regulations.

Albany House provides care and accommodation for up to four people who have a learning disability. There were four people living at the service at the time of the inspection visit.

The service is situated in the centre of Redruth with access to a public transport network as well as the services own transport.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The registered providers also worked and managed the service on a day to day basis. There were no permanent additional staff members. However, on occasions when the registered providers/manager were away from the service, there were systems in place for a relative to support people. They had the necessary skills, experience and competence to support people. They also had the necessary safety checks in place to work in the service.

People were supported to lead full and varied lives and staff supported them to engage in a wide variety of activities. People told us, “I like working at the nursery [garden]. I like working with the plants” and “I go out every day and like today had a coffee with someone I know”.

People told us they felt safe living at Albany House. One person said, “I love living here. Yes I do feel safe”. Arrangements were in place to protect people from abuse and unsafe care.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People had a choice of meals, snacks and drinks, which they told us they enjoyed. There was flexibility in what people might want to eat. One person told us, “I sometimes eat in cafes so don’t always want a main meal, but there’s always a snack for me”.

People told us they were involved in their care planning and reviews. People had individual care plans, detailing the support they needed and how they wanted this to be provided.

Care records were detailed and contained specific information to guide staff who were supporting people. Life history profiles about each person were developed in a format which was more meaningful for people. This included large print and pictorial information This meant staff were able to use them as communication tools.

Risk assessments were in place for day to day events and peoples life choices. For example going out into the community or for smoking. These were all included in people’s care documentation.

Medication procedures were safe. Medicines were administered as prescribed and at the times prescribed. Records were accurate and audited regularly.

People were supported to manage their individual finances to maintain a level of independence.

There was a robust system of quality assurance checks in place. People and their relatives were regularly consulted about how the home was run.

4 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who lived at Albany House. People told us they were happy living at the home and liked the staff that assisted them. They said the home was comfortable and clean. We observed each person had individualised their own room to suit their personal taste. People told us they chose how they spent their time and had free choice about areas of their life such as when they went to bed and what choice of meals they had.

We saw people coming and going from various activities during the day. People were happy to spend time socialising together, talking with staff or spending time in their own rooms. We saw people moved around the home with no restrictions.

We saw there was a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drinks, in sufficient quantities to meet people's needs.

People told us they felt safe living at Albany House and would talk to the providers if they had any concerns.

The provider had developed a policy and procedure which assessed and monitored the quality of the service provided by the home to ensure people received safe and appropriate care and treatment.

15 January 2013

During a routine inspection

There were four people who lived at Albany House at the time of the inspection. We met three of the people. One person was out for the day at a day placement. We saw that people appeared happy and relaxed and made choices about how they spent their day. One person walked into the local town in the afternoon and bought some cards. People talked with the provider throughout the day and sought to be in their company. People told us they were happy to live at Albany House and one person told us it was, 'marvellous'.

People who used the service had lived at Albany House for between three and 13 years.

We saw there were risk assessments in place for all four people that assessed and recorded action taken to minimise any potential risks to the individuals, whilst recognising the individual's right to take informed risks. The care records showed liaison with other agencies to ensure the persons' best interests were served. Family members were encouraged to be part of the person's care planning and reviews. Care plans included detailed information about each person including their capabilities, their likes and preferences and areas where they required additional care and assistance. The registered managers were aware of individual capacity issues and information regarding capacity was included within the care plan documentation.

4 February 2012

During a routine inspection

There were four people living at Albany House at the time of the inspection. We met all four people who live at Alany House during the inspection. One person was out shopping with their friend during part of the inspection.

We saw that people who use the service were relaxed and were making choices about how they spent the afternoon. They all interacted with the providers frequently and they appeared to seek out and enjoy the company of the registered providers. They all seemed happy in their manner and all told us that they liked to live at Albany House.

The registered providers acted in a professional manner and were friendly and respectful towards the people who live at Albany House throughout the inspection.