Archived: 5 Mierscourt Close

Updated 26 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. We inspect services that have been rated as Good within 24 months of the previous report publication date.

The inspection took place on 9 January 2018 and was announced. The registered manager was given 48 hours’ notice as we wanted to ensure they would be in when we visited. The person who lived at the home was out at the time of the visit as they were spending time in the community attending a local day centre. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service, we looked at the previous inspection report and any notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the inspection the provider supplied information relating to the person using the service. We reviewed the person’s records and a variety of documents. These included the care plans, risk assessments and associated care records, such as incident and accident records. We also reviewed the management records for the provider.

We spoke with the registered manager, and after the inspection we spoke with one relative about the service their family member was receiving. We also spoke with one social care professional from the local authority.

Updated 26 January 2018

This inspection took place on 9 January 2018 and was announced.

5 Mierscourt Close is a privately owned home providing accommodation and support for one adult with a learning disability, who has lived there as part of the family for approximately 18 years. The accommodation is a dormer bungalow with the person's bedroom and main living areas on the ground floor. The person has access to all areas of the home.

The provider is registered as a partnership with one of the partners registered as 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. The registered manager is also the main care giver to the person living in the home. The registered manager of this service oversees the running of the full service and is supported by the partner when required.

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 19 February 2016, the service was rated as Good in all of the domains and had an overall Good rating.

At this inspection we found the registered manager and provider had consistently monitored the quality of their service to maintain a rating of Good.

The person supported had lived at the home for many years and was treated as a member of the family. The person had previously indicated that they liked living at the home. The person’s bedroom was personalised to their lifestyle.

The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their life and the registered manager supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the home supported this practice.

The person was treated with dignity and respect and was encouraged to be as independent as possible. The registered manager provided good care and support to the person enabling them to live a fulfilled and meaningful life. The registered manager was considerate and respectful when speaking about the person. They knew the person well, including their personal histories, hobbies and interests. There was a relaxed atmosphere in the home when we visited. The person was cared for in a safe and well maintained environment.

The person received their medicines when they should and medicines were handled safely. The registered manager kept accurate records of the medicines given and followed good practice in the storage and administration of medicines.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Mental capacity assessments and decisions made in people’s best interest were recorded. The registered manager had received training in protecting people from abuse and undertook updates as needed. They knew the action to take if they suspected abuse. The management team had access to, and understood the safeguarding policies of the local authority.

The provider did not employ any staff to assist with the care provided. The registered manager kept themselves up to date with current practice that was appropriate to the person and the care required to be delivered. Where they were unable to provide care this was sought from other health and social care professionals as needed.

The person was supported with their nutrition and health care needs. People were enabled and encouraged to make decisions about their care every day. The registered manager and partner showed on-going commitment to providing safe and effective care to the person. The person received care and support that was well planned, documented and sensitively delivered.

The person’s needs were assessed and reviewed on a regular basis with any changes made with the involvement of the person’s families and health professionals. Risk assessments contained information and guidance about all risks to the person’s safety. The registered manager knew them well and was able to describe the care in great detail.

The person was supported to attend a wide range of activities that included involvement and use of the local and wider community based facilities.

Effective and appropriate quality assurance procedures ensured that the person was provided with a good service and was supported to live a normal life as possible.