University Care

Updated 3 January 2020

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.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

University Care 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they 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.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service, two members of staff and the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We received feedback from three professionals who had knowledge of the service.

Updated 3 January 2020

University Care is a care home providing personal care to four people who may have a learning disability or mental health needs.

The home is situated in a residential part of Nottingham with good links to community facilities and transport. 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 felt safe and there were enough staff to provide support to meet their needs. People were protected from the risk of harm and staff understood how to recognise potential abuse and how to act to keep people safe. People received their prescribed medicines safely and they understood why they needed these. Staff had been suitably recruited to ensure they were able to work with people.

People made decisions about how they wanted to be supported and they could decide what to do and how to spend their time. 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. Where people lacked capacity, they were helped to make decisions. Where their liberty was restricted, this had been identified and action taken to ensure this was lawful. They received support to stay well and had access to health care services. Staff had training and professional development that they required to work effectively in their roles.

People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. People were responsible for shopping and cooking the food they wanted to eat and supported to develop living skills.

People had developed positive relationships with the staff. Staff helped people to make choices about their care and their views were respected. People were involved in the planning and review of their care and family members and friends continued to play an important role. Where people had any concerns, they were able to make a complaint, and this was responded to.

Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service. People and staff were encouraged to raise any views about the service on how improvements could be made. The registered manager worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure people received they care they wanted. They promoted an open culture which put people at the heart of 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 (6 July 2017).

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.