8 July 2014
During a routine inspection
We carried out this unannounced 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 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service.
Springfield House provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have autistic spectrum disorders. There were three people living at the home on the day of the inspection visit. The home had appointed a manager and their application to be formally registered with the Care Quality Commission had been received. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and shares the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law with the provider. The manager of Springfield House was on leave and therefore was not present during this visit. However the divisional manager had previously been the manager of the service until June 2014 and therefore attended to assist with this inspection.
On the day of the inspection we saw people looked well cared for and their needs were met quickly and appropriately. People who used the service had complex health and communication needs and therefore feedback was limited. One person told us “its good here”.
We saw people were happy living at Springfield House. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and we observed staff and people enjoying each others company. We saw staff talking with people in a friendly manner. We saw they assisted people as they needed whilst encouraging people to be independent.
We found the service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards. People’s human rights were properly recognised, respected and promoted.
We saw care records were of a high standard and contained detailed information to guide staff who were supporting people. Risk assessments were completed and regularly reviewed. We found people were supported to live full and active lives and access the local community. People were able to take part in a varied range of activities which reflected their individual hobbies and interests.
Staff demonstrated a caring attitude towards the people living at Springfiled House. People were supported to maintain strong relationships with their families. People’s preferred method of communication was taken into account and respected.
Staff were well supported through a system of induction,training, supervision, appraisal and professional development.
There was a positive culture within the service which was demonstrated by the attitudes of staff when we spoke with them and their approach to supporting people to develop their independence. We saw the service was orgainsed to suit the needs of the people who lived there.
We found there were positive relationships between staff and management. Everyone who worked at Springfield house who we spoke with demonstrated compassion and respect for the people they supported.
The service was well-led. The views of people living at Springfield House and those of the staff team were actively sought out by the manager. Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and analysed. There were robust quality assurance systems in place.