We carried out a review of the data available to us about Riverswey on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Riverswey, you can give feedback on this service.
Riverswey is a residential care home that provides accommodation and care for up to three people with learning disabilities. There were two people living at Riverswey at the time of our inspection.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Comprehensive assessments and care plans provided the basis of personalised care and ensured that staff supported people safely and in accordance with their needs and preferences. Risks to people were identified and managed in a way that balanced their safety with their right to freedom.
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.
Staff facilitated opportunities for people to engage in a range of meaningful activities and work towards goals and learn new skills that were personal to them. People were encouraged and supported to lead active and healthy lifestyles.
Staff were kind and compassionate and people enjoyed relationships with them that were fun and inclusive. The management team championed people’s rights and worked collaboratively with each other and external partners to constantly improve the service.
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 (April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Riverswey provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people with learning disabilities. There were three people using the service at the time of our visit. The people are supported with a full range of tasks, including maintaining their health and well-being, personal care, support with nutrition and social activities.
This was a focused inspection following the last inspection in April 2016. Despite being awarded an overall rating of ‘Good’ during the last inspection we found a breach in Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This follow up inspection on 15 February was a focused inspection to check if the service was well led.
On the day of inspection we met the registered manager. 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.
Despite people saying that they were happy with their support there were mixed views from staff about the management and leadership of the home.
Improvements had been made to the auditing processes at the home with the implementation of a health and safety audit and monthly workbook.
Half the staff we spoke to felt supported by management. Half raised concerns about the amount of time the registered manager was able to spend at the home. The registered manager was managing two homes. We were told this led to staffing issues not being addressed effectively due to lack of managerial presence at the home. We have recommended that there is more managerial oversight at the service.
People were involved in the running of the service. Staff understood and worked in line with the vision and values of the home to ensure people received the care they needed.
The registered manager understood their responsibilities and notified CQC of any significant events at the home.
Riverswey provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people with learning disabilities. There were three people using the service at the time of our visit.
The home had 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Two people told us they liked living at Riverswey and said that staff were kind and caring towards them. There was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere when we visited.
There were clear procedures in place to recognise and respond to abuse and staff had been trained in how to follow these. Staffing numbers were sufficient to help make sure people were kept safe.
People received care and support from a long standing group of staff who knew them very well and understood their needs and preferences. Each person had individualised and detailed support plans to make sure they received the support they required. Assessments completed by the service identified any risks to each person and helped to safely promote their independence.
People were supported to have their health needs met. We saw that people’s prescribed medicines were being stored securely and managed safely.
Senior staff supported staff to deliver appropriate care and support. Staff attended training which gave them the knowledge and skills to support people effectively. Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
The systems in place to monitor the quality of the service could be improved. We found shortfalls with health and safety checks and the support provided to staff through management supervision. This meant the safety and quality of the service was not always being appropriately audited and assessed.
We found that there were processes in place to gain the consent of people or their representatives to the care provided and that people's rights were upheld.
We spoke with all three people who used the service and they were positive about the support they received. One person said, 'They all know how to look after me for the best. They do ask me about things and I know it's my choice that counts'.
The service had weekly and monthly cleaning schedules in place to reduce the risk of infection and the property appeared hygienic and well maintained. A regular hand washing regime was in place.
We found that staff were supported in their roles in terms of training, supervision and opportunities for professional development. One member told us, 'We are all supported by the company to complete a diploma and some of us go on to specialise in certain aspects of care'.
We found that there were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. One person who used the service told us, 'Every week I sit down with my key worker and we talk about how it's going. If I'm not happy I don't wait for the meeting, I tell them straight away'.
People told us that they felt safe in the service. One said, 'I feel very safe here. I know everybody except you and they look after me'. A relative told us, 'If they didn't feel safe they wouldn't want to stay. I'd know straight away and the staff would too'.
The registered manager told us that since the last inspection repair work had been carried out to the roof. This had enabled redecoration to take place in the rooms affected by damp.. We noted that the building and gardens were properly maintained and that all rooms were in good decorative condition.
We saw that there were effective recruitment procedures to ensure that suitable staff were recruited. Staff received additional specialist training for the role.
The registered manager told us 'Complaints and happiness of people who use the service are standing agenda items for monthly meetings. We work very closely in this service and we are managing people's happiness the whole time'.
We found that the service had an effective complaints process in place. One person we spoke with told us, 'I've never had to complain about my care. I moan sometimes but the staff treat me very well and take care of me'.