Archived: Smith Crescent Care Home

Updated 26 October 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 undertaken by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Smith Crescent is a ‘care home’ that provides short-term breaks. 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 who used the service, five relatives and one visiting friend about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, team leader, care staff and the improvement manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care plans and records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and quality assurance were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 26 October 2019

About the service

Smith Crescent Care Home is a care home that provides short stay care and accommodation for younger adults with learning and physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection, there were two people using the service and 23 people regularly used the service for short stays.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks. There were sufficient numbers of staff who had been safely recruited to meet people’s needs. Peoples medicines were safely managed, and systems were in place to control and prevent the spread of infection.

People’s care needs were assessed before they received a care package. Staff received an induction and ongoing training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care. People were supported to eat and drink enough. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and access healthcare services when required.

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 were treated to kind and compassionate care maintaining their dignity and confidentiality. Staff knew and, were sensitive to people’s individual needs. People were supported respectfully and individually and, a warm and welcoming atmosphere had been developed. People were able to personalise their rooms during their stay and were encouraged to be independent. People had opportunity to meet with the registered manager to discuss any concerns and visitors were welcomed to the service anytime.

The care provided was person centred and delivered the way people preferred to meet their individual needs. Staff understood people’s needs with regards to the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. Information was available to people in accessible formats and staff knew people’s communication needs and understood how best to engage and support people. People were enabled to pursue hobbies and interests and be a part of the local community. Relatives knew how to make a complaint and felt confident doing so.

The service was managed well and there was an effective quality assurance processes in place. The service strived to improve the quality of the care for people. Action plans were developed following any shortfalls in the service.

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. 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 18 February 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.