Background to this inspection
Updated
4 November 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 was planned to check 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 took place on 14 September 2015 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the home, what the home does well and improvements they plan to make. We also looked at previous inspection reports and notifications about important events that had taken place at the service, which the provider is required to tell us by law.
We spoke with one person about their experience of the service and two relatives of people using the service. We spoke with four staff including three care workers and the registered manager to gain their views. We asked six health and social care professionals for their views about the service. We observed the care provided to people who were unable to tell us about their experiences.
We spent time looking at records, policies and procedures, complaint and incident and accident monitoring systems. We looked at three people’s care records, three staff record files, the staff training programme, the staff rota and medicine records.
A previous inspection took place on 23 December 2013, the service had met the standards of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.
Updated
4 November 2015
The inspection was carried out on 14 September 2015 and was unannounced.
The service provided accommodation for people who required personal care. The accommodation was a large detached house providing support for up to four people who live with a learning disability or associated need. Three people lived there at the time of our inspection.
There was a registered manager employed at the service who managed another two of the provider’s services.. 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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS. Mental capacity assessments and decisions made in people’s best interest were recorded. At the time of the inspection the registered manager had applied for a DoLS authorisation for one person living at the service, with the support of the local authority DoLS team.
People received support from staff with taking prescribed medicines. Policies and procedures were in place for the safe administration of medicines and staff had been trained to administer medicines safely.
People told us and indicated that they felt safe. Staff had received training about protecting people from abuse, and they knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. The management team had access to, and understood the safeguarding policies of the local authority.
People’s needs were assessed before moving into the service with involvement from relatives, health professionals and the person’s funding authority. Care plans contained detailed information and clear guidance about all aspects of a person’s health, social and personal care needs to enable staff to meet people’s needs.
Potential risks to people in their everyday lives had been identified, and, had been assessed in relation to the impact that it had on people.
Staff were available to meet people’s assessed needs. People were encouraged and were supported to engage in activities within the service and in the community.
Recruitment practices were safe and checks were carried out to make sure staff were suitable to work with people who needed care and support. Staff received induction training and the day to day support they needed to ensure they did their job safely. Staff received support from the registered manager through supervision and an annual appraisal.
Staff supported people with their nutrition and health care needs. We found that people were enabled and encouraged to make decisions about their care. People with complex health needs were supported by relative’s and health care professionals about how their care was planned and delivered.
Staff were considerate and respectful when speaking about people. Staff knew people very well, including their personal histories, hobbies and interests. There was a relaxed atmosphere in the service between people and staff.
Systems were in place for people or their relatives to raise their concerns or complaints.
There were systems in place to review accident and incidents, and the system in use was able to detect and alert the registered manager to any patterns or trends that had developed.
The registered manager ensured that they had planned for unforeseeable emergencies, so that should they happen people’s care needs would continue to be met. The premises were maintained and checked to help ensure the safety of people, staff and visitors.
The management of the service was stable and staff felt supported by the registered manager. The registered manager and senior operations manager undertook regular audits and took action when changes or improvements were needed.