New Stead House

Updated 21 January 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on Thursday 13 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one day’s notice of the inspection.

Updated 21 January 2022

About the service

New Stead House provides residential care and support for people with learning, neurological and physical disabilities.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 17 people and 15 people were using the service at the time of inspection. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building designs fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. Accommodation was provided via a main home and an annex of self-contained apartments. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

People received an extremely person-centred service where they were at the heart and focus of the support provided. Staff involved people and their relatives when planning support and activities. They also incorporated people’s interests when planning activities to increase the likelihood of engagement and enjoyment.

People were kept safe. Risks were well managed. The provider learned from previous accidents and incidents to reduce future risks. The registered manager understood their responsibilities about safeguarding and staff received appropriate training. Arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines. Staff were recruited in a safe way and there were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs.

People’s needs were assessed before they started using the service. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions and appraisals. People were supported with their nutritional needs and to access a range of health care professionals. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect. A relative said, “The staff are absolutely superb. I would trust them all implicitly.” Staff promoted and maintained people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves, where possible. People were supported to access advocacy services.

Support plans were very detailed and person-centred. People’s communication needs were detailed within support plans and staff knew how to communicate with them effectively. For example, using communication boards, pictures and photos. The provider was pro-active in dealing with any concerns in the service and relatives were confident making complaints.

The service was well-led. All feedback received from relatives and professionals was positive about the service, staff and management. Staff were involved in the ongoing development and improvement of the service through regular meetings as well as daily communication. An effective quality assurance process was in place. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of 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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. 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 7 March 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.