Background to this inspection
Updated
16 September 2016
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 was 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 was an unannounced inspection that took place on the 18 August 2016. Due to the small size of the service the inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Prior to this inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service, including data about safeguarding and statutory notifications. Statutory notifications are information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.
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 service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR before the inspection to check if there were any specific areas we needed to focus on.
During the inspection we were unable to speak to anyone as they were unable to communicate verbally with us due to their medical conditions. Instead we observed the care and support being provided by staff. We obtained feedback from two relative’s following the inspection.
As part of the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and three members of staff. We looked at a range of records about people’s care and how the home was managed. We looked at one care plan, medication administration records, risk assessments, accident and incident records, complaints records and internal and external audits that had been completed. We also looked at three staff recruitment files.
We last inspected 64 Brighton Road in January 2014 when we had no concerns.
Updated
16 September 2016
64 Brighton Road provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have a learning disability, such as autism or epilepsy. People's accommodation is arranged over two floors. There were five people living at 64 Brighton Road on the day of our inspection.
There was 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People lived in a homely environment. Everyone was involved in maintaining the upkeep of the home by taking part in the cleaning and general housework duties.
People were independent and encouraged and supported by staff to continue to be so. Staff supported people to eat a good range of foods. Those with a specific dietary requirement were provided with appropriate food. People were involved in the menu planning, preparing food and shopping. People had access to external health services and professional involvement was sought by staff when appropriate to help maintain good health.
People were encouraged to take part in activities which were meaningful to them. People chose what they wished to do on the day, not only within the home but if they wished to go out.
Medicines were managed in a safe way and recording of medicines was completed to show people had received the medicines they required.
Staff met with their line manager on a one to one basis and staff said they felt supported. Staff said the registered manager had good management oversight of the home and there was a good culture within the team.
There were a sufficient number of staff on duty to enable people to either stay indoors or go out to their individual activities. It was evident staff knew people well, understood people’s individuality and needs and respected people when they wished to have time alone. Staff were caring to people.
People were not prevented from doing things they enjoyed as staff had identified and assessed individual risks for people. The registered manager logged any accidents and incidents that occurred.
Staff had followed legal requirements to make sure that any decisions made or restrictions to people were done in the person’s best interests. Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
Appropriate checks were carried out to help ensure only suitable staff worked in the home. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse and were able to tell us what they would do in such an event.
Staff received a good range of training which included training specific to the needs of people living at 64 Brighton Road. This allowed them to carry out their role in an effective and competent way. Staff met together regularly as a team to discuss all aspects of the home.
Staff and the provider undertook quality assurance audits to ensure the care provided was of a standard people should expect. Any areas identified as needing improvement were made by staff.
If an emergency occurred or the home had to close for a period of time, people’s care would not be interrupted as there were procedures in place. People would be evacuated to another of the provider’s homes or local hotels should the need arise. There was an on-call system for assistance outside of normal working hours.
A complaints procedure was available for any concerns. This was displayed in a format that was easy for people to understand. People, their relatives and external stakeholders were encouraged to feedback their views and ideas into the running of the home.