Background to this inspection
Updated
30 January 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 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.
This was a comprehensive inspection. It took place on 4 and 5 January 2018 and was announced. The reason it was announced was so people who would find our visit a challenge, could be informed that we would be visiting and supported if required.
The inspection team included one adult social care inspector.
Prior to the inspection we looked at previous inspection reports. We also reviewed the information we held about the service and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. 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.
Most of the people using the serviced were non verbal and so 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 with us. We also used informal observation.
We spoke with two people’s family members, four support staff, a provider representative and the registered manager. We reviewed three people’s care records, one staff file, training arrangements and looked at quality monitoring information relating to the management of the service and safety records. We received feedback from one medical professional and saw other feedback from questionnaires the service had received during 2017.
Updated
30 January 2018
Wellington Road is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 10 people with a learning disability were receiving care at Wellington Road. They were between the ages of 30 and 56. Wellington Road is a large terraced house over three floors in the centre of Taunton.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good
People were safe at the service because recruitment, staffing, medicine management, infection control and upkeep of the premises protected people from unsafe situations and harm. Individual risks to people were assessed and managed with as little restriction to the person as possible.
Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and discrimination. They knew to report any concerns and ensure action was taken. The registered manager worked with the local authority safeguarding adults team to protect people.
Staff received training and were supported to be skilled and efficient in the roles. Arrangements for staff supervision had been reviewed and improvements made, such as a designated hour for the one to one meetings.
People’s legal rights were understood and upheld. People’s health care needs were met. A health care professional said they were “Really impressed with the medical care provided”.
The premises provided people with a variety of spaces for their use with relevant adaptation to meet their needs where possible. Bedrooms were very individual and age and gender appropriate. Major upgrading to the premises was about to commence to improve people’s comfort.
People received a home cooked and varied diet. Some also enjoyed buying ‘treats’ and eating out on a regular basis.
Staff promoted people’s dignity and privacy. Through understanding people’s non verbal communication the service was centred on each person as an individual. Staff were kind and caring and people using the service were happy to return to Wellington Road following a period away.
Support plans were detailed and reviewed with the person when possible, staff who supported the person, external professionals (as necessary) and family members. Staff looked to identify best practise and use this to people’s benefit. Staff worked with and took advice from health care professionals.
People had a variety of internal activities (such as arts and crafts) and external activities (such as disco, bowling and swimming) which they enjoyed on a regular basis. Staff said activities for people were “Well thought out”.
The registered manager ran a well organised service. People’s views were sought and opportunities taken to improve the service. Staff were supervised, supported and were clear what was expected of them. Audits and checks were carried out in-house and through the provider so any problem could be identified and rectified.
The registered manager understood and met their legal responsibilities.