We carried out a review of the data available to us about Stanmore House 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 Stanmore House, you can give feedback on this service.
About the service
Stanmore House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 3 people. The service provides support to people with learning disabilities who may have additional mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.
Right Support
People were safe and protected from the risk of abuse. Staff were recruited safely. Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed. Care plans contained detail and guidance for staff on ways to reduce risks to people. Staff had received training which enabled them to support people in the most appropriate way. 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.
Right Care
People received information in a way that was accessible to them. Staff understood how to communicate effectively with people, so they were empowered to make choices. Staff treated people well and with dignity and respect. Relatives were positive about the service and felt their family members were safe and well cared for.
Right Culture
The management team had developed a positive culture, which placed people at the centre of their care. People's needs were prioritised and there was good communication with relatives and professionals. The registered manager was committed to on-going improvement to ensure people led fulfilling lives. People understood how to complain if they were unhappy with the care they received.
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 (published 7 November 2017).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
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.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for ‘Stanmore House’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
There were policies and procedures for safeguarding people. People told us that they felt safe living in the home. Staff were knowledgeable about what action they should take if abuse was suspected. They knew how to raise any concerns about people's safety so people were protected.
Accidents and incidents had been appropriately recorded and risk assessments were in place to minimise the risk of people and staff from being harmed. Checks and tests had been carried out to make sure that the premises were safe.
People's medicines were managed and stored safely. People chose what they wanted to eat and drink and their dietary needs and preferences were supported. People’s healthcare needs were understood and met by the service.
Arrangements were in place to make sure people received the service they required from sufficient numbers of appropriately recruited and suitably trained staff. Staff received the support they needed to carry out their roles and responsibilities in providing people with the care and support that they needed.
Person centred care records ensured that the service met people’s individual needs and preferences.
People were supported to follow their own daily routines and to make day to day decisions about their lives. People decided on a daily basis what they wanted to do and staff supported them to carry out their chosen activities.
Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 [MCA]. 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 who used the service and family members were aware of how to make a complaint.
There was a management structure in the service which provided clear lines of responsibility and
accountability. Checks were carried out to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
This unannounced inspection of Stanmore House took place on the 10 December 2015. At our last inspection on 21 January 2014 the service met the regulations inspected.
Stanmore House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for 3 people. On the day of our inspection there were 3 people living in the home. The home supports people with learning disabilities who may have additional mental health needs. The service is also registered to carry on the regulated activity personal care to people not living at Stanmore House. At the time of our inspection the registered manager informed us that although a service of support in a range of areas was being provided to some people who were not living at Stanmore House, these people currently did not require support with personal care. The services are operated by Stanmore Care Homes Limited.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission [CQC] 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 was not on duty during the inspection but a manager of another of the provider’s services spent time in the home and provided us with the information we required.
People were encouraged and supported to make decisions for themselves whenever possible to maintain and develop their independence. People participated in a range of activities of their choice, and were supported to learn and develop a range of skills. People were provided with the support they needed to take part in and develop social interests, and maintain links with their family and friends. Staff engaged with people in a friendly and respectful manner.
Arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported. People’s individual needs and risks were identified and managed as part of their plan of care and support. Care plans were personalised and reflected people’s current needs, and contained the information staff needed to provide people with the care and support they wanted and required. Appropriate, up to date records were in place and kept secure.
Staff were appropriately recruited, trained and supported to provide people with individualised care and support. Staff told us they enjoyed working in the home and received the support they needed to carry out their roles and responsibilities.
People were supported to maintain good health and well-being. They had good access to appropriate healthcare services that monitored their health and provided support, treatment and advice when people were unwell. People were provided with a choice of food and drink which met their preferences and dietary needs.
Staff had an understanding of the systems in place to protect people who were unable to make particular decisions about their care, treatment and other aspects of their lives. Staff knew about the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). There were arrangements in place to obtain, and act in accordance with the consent of people.
There was an open and inclusive culture within the home. People using the service, their relatives and staff told us they felt able to communicate their views about the service and were confident that any concerns would be addressed by management staff. There were systems in place to regularly assess, monitor and improve the quality of the services provided for people.
We found that those who used the service were treated with respect. One family member told us "staff show great respect to my relative. They protect them when out in public."
We found that people's care needs were met. We noted that there were procedures in place to deal with emergencies. We saw that each person using the service had a care plan specific to their needs. A person who used the service told us "I really like it here - staff are cool."
We found that people who used the service were protected from the risks of abuse as robust safeguarding procedures were in place. A member of staff told us "we try very hard to help our service users be aware of abuse and remind them about how to report it."
We saw that there were effective recruitment procedures in place.
We saw that records were accurate, appropriate and securely kept.
You can see our judgements on the front page of this report