Background to this inspection
Updated
11 October 2017
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.
The inspection was carried out on the 06 September 2017 by one inspector and was unannounced.
Before the inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We used this information when planning and undertaking the inspection.
During our inspection we spoke with two people using the service and one relative. We also spoke with the managing director, the manager, and three support staff. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service, such as minutes of staff meetings, and reviewed four staff records. We also reviewed records relating to two people’s care, such as their support plans, risk assessments and medicine administration records.
Where people had limited verbal communication, we used other methods to help us understand their experiences, including observation.
Updated
11 October 2017
This inspection was carried out on 06 September 2017 and was unannounced.
Stuarts House Care Limited provides a supported living service for people who have learning disabilities and autism. We had been made aware that the location address had changed and we wanted to check whether the provider was providing the regulated activity personal care at their head office address. The accommodation includes two bedrooms for people using the service and a third bedroom which doubles as a sleep in room/office for staff who provide 24 hour support for people. At the time of our inspection two people were using the service.
There was a new manager in post who was in the process of becoming registered with CQC. 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.
We found people’s safety was compromised in some areas. Relevant recruitment checks were not always conducted before staff started working at Stuarts House Care Limited. The provider did not have an effective system in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
Staff sought consent from people before providing care and support. However best interest decisions were not always recorded.
People and their families told us they felt safe and secure when receiving care. Staff received training in safeguarding adults. They completed a wide range of training and told us they felt it supported them in their job role.
Risk assessments were in place which minimised risks to people receiving care. There were plans in place for foreseeable emergencies. There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe.
People were supported to take their medicines safely from suitably trained staff. Medication administration records (MAR) confirmed people had received their medicines as prescribed.
People received varied meals including a choice of fresh food and drinks. Staff were aware of people’s likes and dislikes and went out of their way to provide people with what they wanted.
People were cared for with kindness and compassion. Care plans provided comprehensive information about how people wished to receive care and support. This helped ensure people received personalised care in a way that met their individual needs.
People were supported and encouraged to make choices and had access to a range of activities. Staff knew what was important to people and encouraged them to be as independent as possible.
A complaints procedure was in place. Staff felt supported by the management of the service.
We identified a breach of Regulation 19 (2) (a) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we have told the provider to take at the back of this report.