We carried out a review of the data available to us about West Road 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 West Road, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider had robust procedures to follow before accessing the premises. We were asked for and provided proof of vaccination, evidence of a negative lateral flow device, LFD, test taken the day of the inspection and to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire about our health and whether we had contact with people who had a positive COVID-19 status.
The premises were very clean. The kitchen had been replaced within the past two years and still looked new. It had easy to clean surfaces and flooring, and was uncluttered making maintaining hygiene easier.
People’s rooms were clean and tidy and they participated in cleaning tasks such as vacuuming and putting the rubbish out.
The provider supported people to be active participants in the life of the home and had plans to work with one person and support them to become a COVID-19 champion. They would have some responsibility with staff support, for example, ensuring that checks and tests were completed using an appropriate recording system. They had already worked with staff to complete fire alarm checks, water temperatures and checking first aid kits.
The provider had good communication systems and through their quality team had appointed specific leads for COVID-19 who ensured they were current with all guidance and procedures. These staff were available for services to answer questions about the pandemic and what actions were needed in different scenarios.
Staff at the service had worked hard with people to ensure their safety from COVID-19. Social stories had been used with people to ensure they had an understanding of why things had changed such as community participation, and why they and staff had to wear face masks and other personal protective equipment.
Staff enabled both colleagues and people using the service to effectively wash hands. They sourced a UV lamp and dye and supported people to check how well they washed their hands and to improve their technique.
There were numerous posters around the service reminding people of guidelines around social distancing, handwashing and other important aspects of practice. There was also a checklist completed three times daily to indicate that frequently touched points including door handles, toilets, chair arms and phones were sanitised.
We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.
West Road is a residential care home providing personal care and support for up to four people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. There were four people using the service at
the time of this 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
We received consistently positive feedback about the service from people’s relatives, which was reflected in one relative’s comments: “I am very pleased and impressed by the level of care provided at West Road, and the professionalism and caring nature of all the staff there. They work together as a team extremely well, creating an environment that is a true home for the residents.”
There was a friendly atmosphere in the home and staff supported people in a kind and caring way that took account of their individual needs and preferences. People and their families were supported to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their care and support.
There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm, including how medicines were managed. Staff were trained in how to recognise and respond to abuse and understood their responsibility to report any concerns. There were sufficient numbers of experienced staff to meet people’s needs. Safe recruitment practices were followed to make sure only suitable staff were employed to care for people in the home.
Staff were supported to gain relevant knowledge and skills through an on-going programme of training, supervision and appraisal.
The service worked well with other agencies to promote people’s wellbeing. People received regular and on-going health checks and support to attend appointments. They were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to make informed choices about what they ate.
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.
The service was responsive to people’s needs and staff listened to what they said. Staff were prompt to raise issues about people’s health and people were referred to health professionals when needed. People could be confident that any concerns or complaints they raised would be dealt with.
The provider and registered manager were promoting an open, empowering and inclusive culture within the service. There were a range of systems in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service and to ensure people were receiving appropriate support.
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.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 (last report published 22 April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
This inspection took place on 28 March 2017 and was announced 24 hours in advance to ensure someone would be at the home.
At the last inspection on 17 April 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm, including how medicines were managed. Staff were trained in how to recognise and respond to abuse and understood their responsibility to report any concerns to the management team.
Safe recruitment practices were followed and appropriate checks had been undertaken, which made sure only suitable staff were employed to care for people in the home. There were sufficient numbers of experienced staff to meet people’s needs.
Staff were supported to provide appropriate care to people because they were trained, supervised and appraised. There was an induction, training and development programme, which supported staff to gain relevant knowledge and skills.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People received regular and on-going health checks and support to attend appointments. They were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to make informed choices about what they ate.
Staff had built caring relationships with people and demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that their needs were met in ways that made them feel they were valued and respected. People and their families were supported to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their care and support.
The service was responsive to people’s needs and staff listened to what they said. Staff were prompt to raise issues about people’s health and people were referred to health professionals when needed. People could be confident that any concerns or complaints they raised would be dealt with.
Relatives spoke positively about how the service was managed. There was an open and inclusive culture within the service. There were a range of systems in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service and to ensure people were receiving appropriate support.
This inspection visit took place on 17 April 2015 and was unannounced.
West Road provides accommodation and personal care for up to four people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. There were two people using the service at the time of this inspection.
There was no registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. A new manager had been in post since January 2015 and had submitted an application to register with the commission. 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.
Relatives told us they felt the service provided safe care and support. There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm, including how medicines were managed. Staff were trained in how to recognise and respond to abuse and understood their responsibility to report any concerns to the management team.
Safe recruitment practices were followed and appropriate checks had been undertaken, which made sure only suitable staff were employed to care for people in the home. There were sufficient numbers of experienced staff to meet people’s needs.
Staff were supported to provide appropriate care to people because they were trained, supervised and appraised. There was an induction, training and development programme, which supported staff to gain relevant knowledge and skills.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which apply to care homes. Where people’s liberty or freedoms were at risk of being restricted, the proper authorisations were in place or had been applied for.
People received regular and on-going health checks and support to attend appointments. They were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to make informed choices about what they ate.
Relatives described staff as “very kind” and “helpful”. Staff involved people in making decisions and respected people’s choices, privacy and dignity.
The service was responsive to people’s needs and staff listened to what they said. Staff were prompt to raise issues about people’s health and people were referred to health professionals when needed. People were confident they could raise concerns or complaints and that these would be dealt with.
People spoke positively about how the service was managed. There was an open and inclusive culture within the service, which encouraged people’s involvement and their feedback was used to drive improvements. There were a range of systems in place to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the service and to ensure people were receiving appropriate support.