Archived: Brynsworthy

Updated 6 March 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection visit took place on 18 December 2014 and was unannounced. One social care inspector carried out this inspection.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Before our inspection, we reviewed the information in the PIR along with information we held about the home, which included incident notifications they had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.

On the day of our visit, three people were using the service. We used a range of different methods to help us understand people’s experience. We spoke with three people and two relatives on the telephone. We spoke with two staff and the registered manager during our visit. We received feedback from an occupational therapist who visited the service.

We looked at two care plans, medication records, two staff files, audits, policies and records relating to the management of the home.

Updated 6 March 2015

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 18 December 2014. At our last inspection in September 2013 we did not identify any concerns.

Brynsworthy is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to five people with a learning disability. The home specialises in providing a service for people with complex needs. On the day of our inspection, three people were living in the home.

There is a registered manager in post. 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.

People appeared happy and relaxed on the day of our inspection visit. People chose how they spent their time, were chatting with staff and smiling. Staff were attentive and available to support people with their chosen activities. Staff spoke with people in a friendly and respectful manner.

It was evident that staff had spent time with people, getting to know their preferences, understanding how to meet their needs, and building caring relationships. Staff commented “we give the best” and “we are passionate about what we do”.

Relatives felt people were safe at Brynsworthy. Staff considered possible risks to people’s safety and looked at ways of reducing those risks. People were encouraged to follow their own activities and interests whilst staff supported people to be as independent as they wanted to be.

People were cared for, or supported by, sufficient numbers of staff during our inspection. Staff were concerned that staffing levels had recently been reduced after one person moved to another home. The registered manager told us the reduced staffing levels were in place for a four week period and would be reviewed afterwards. There were on-call arrangements in place in case of emergency and a lone working risk assessment had been carried out. Robust recruitment procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff started work.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to support people with learning disabilities. Staff had received additional training that was specific to individual’s health needs. Staff received on-going support through one to one supervisions and staff meetings. Staff felt supported by the registered manager. One staff member commented “They’re a good manager; they really do care, and consider people’s interests”.

Care plans were personalised, including people’s preferences and what was important to them. There was detailed information on how to meet people’s health and care needs, communicate, recognise when people were unwell, and manage behaviours that may challenge the service. When people’s needs changed the registered manager acted quickly to ensure the person received the care and treatment they needed.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet. People told us they took part in food shopping and preparing the dinner. Staff offered choices in food and drink and supported people to prepare them.

The atmosphere in the home was friendly and relaxed. Relatives commented “It’s a welcoming atmosphere, everybody is nice and happy” and “I’m very happy with the place, it’s smashing”. People were enabled to maintain their relationships with friends and family. There was an open culture within the service. Relatives told us they didn’t have any concerns but would always feel able to voice them. They commented “The registered manager is always on top of things, it’s made a big difference” and “they’re a good team, working for people”. Staff told us they felt supported by the team they worked with. One staff member commented “There’s good communication, things get passed on, and we review how we deal with things”.

There were effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the service and drive improvements. Where shortfalls had been identified, action had been taken to improve practice. Safeguarding incidents had been appropriately reported to the local authority safeguarding unit and CQC. The registered manager had taken action to protect people and minimise the risk of further incidents.