Background to this inspection
Updated
14 June 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
One inspector carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. However, they were not present during the inspection visit. The registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced. We telephoned the provider from outside the home to find out the COVID-19 status in the home and discuss the infection, prevention and control measures in place.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two staff members, the regional support manager, and communicated via email with the operations manager. We observed staff's interaction with people.
We reviewed a range of records. These included two people’s care records and medicines administration records. Staff training records, risk assessments, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
After the inspection
The regional support manager who was running the home in the absence of the registered manager was not present on the day of our inspection visit. We spoke with the regional support manager on 16 March 2022, via a ‘Teams’ meeting. This was to discuss the management of the service and for them to provide us with information that was not accessible to us during our inspection visit.
We continued to seek clarification from the regional support manager and the operations manager to validate evidence found.
Updated
14 June 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
24 Bowens Field is a residential care home providing personal care to three people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to three people. The home is a normal domestic dwelling and in keeping with the local community.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms.
People were supported to take their medicines by staff who had received medicines training. Staff demonstrated a good understanding about how to recognise abuse and how to safeguard people from this. People were supported by staff to ensure they ate and drank sufficient amounts to maintain their health.
People were able to access relevant healthcare services when needed to promote their physical and mental health. People’s involvement in their assessment and care planning ensured they received a service the way they liked. Staff were kind and friendly and people could be assured their right to privacy and dignity would be respected.
The provider accepted the need for some remedial decoration and plans were in place to start this work. However, we found the environment did not pose a risk to people living in the home. Staff were aware of when people were unhappy and took the appropriate measures to resolve their concerns.
Staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence be independent and they had control over their own lives.
Right Care
The provider’s quality monitoring systems were ineffective to ensure safe practices. We found risk management placed people at risk of potential harm. Insufficient staffing levels meant people’s assessed needs were not always met. Infection, prevention and control measures were not robust and placed people at risk of contracting avoidable infections.
At the time of the inspection no one was receiving end of life care and there was no information in place to show this had been discussed with people.
Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs.
Right culture
The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and staff ensure that people using the service lead inclusive and empowered lives.
Staff knew and understood people well and were responsive, supporting their aspirations to live a quality life of their choosing.
Although, the registered manager was on long term leave. Appropriate arrangements were in place to ensure the management of the home. Both the deputy manager and the regional support manager demonstrated a good understanding of people's needs and had clear direction of planned improvements for the home in the future.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 23 November 2018).
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of right support right care right culture.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.