Ashchurch House

Updated 15 February 2018

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 took place on 18 and 22 September 2017 and was unannounced. On the first day the inspection team consisted of one inspector accompanied by an expert by experience with expertise in learning disabilities. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection we looked at information we already held about this service which included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and information the provider has sent us. We contacted the host local authority with responsibility for commissioning care from this service to gain their views about the service. We were aware of a whistleblowing allegation brought to the attention of the host local authority.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we spoke with two people and two relatives of people who use the service. We spoke with five members of staff. This included the registered manager, area manager and three support workers.

We examined various documents including four care records, seven medicine records and personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPS) for people using the service. We reviewed three staff files including staff recruitment, training and supervision records, minutes of staff meetings, audits and various policies and procedures including adult safeguarding procedures. We used the Short Observational Framework for inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk to us.

Updated 15 February 2018

Ashchurch House is a 10 bed service providing support and accommodation to people with a learning disability. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values should include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The accommodation is arranged over two levels. The ground floor is accessible for people with physical disabilities or restricted mobility. At the time of the inspection seven people were living at the service. We inspected the service on 18 and 22 September 2017.

The service had a registered manager. The 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. At the last inspection on 17 December 2014 the service met the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

We have made two recommendations about involving people in decisions regarding diversity and about involving people in choices regarding their diet.

People told us they felt safe using the service and appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place. Risk assessments were completed and management plans put in place to enable people to receive safe care and support. Staff had good understanding about infection control procedures and used protective clothing to prevent the spread of infection. Lessons were learnt when accidents and incidents occurred to help improve service.

There were effective and up-to-date systems in place to maintain the safety of the premises and equipment. We found there were enough staff working at the service and recruitment checks were in place to ensure new staff were suitable to work at the service. Medicines were administered and managed safely.

People’s needs were assessed before they began using the service. People using the service had access to healthcare professionals as required to meet their needs.

Staff received supervision, appraisals and training in line with the provider’s policies and procedures. Staff had a clear understanding of the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Appropriate applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations had been made.

Personalised support plans were in place for people using the service. Staff knew people they were supporting including their preferences to ensure personalised support was delivered. Staff had a good understanding of how to promote people’s privacy, independence and dignity.

People and their relatives told us the service was caring and we observed staff supporting people in a caring and respectful manner. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged independence. People were supported to maintain their nutrition.

People using the service knew how to make a complaint. Meetings took place for staff and people using the service. The service had systems in place to seek the views of people on the running of the service. The provider had quality assurance systems in place to identify areas of improvement. People and staff told us the registered manager was supportive and approachable.