We carried out a review of the data available to us about 26 Dugard Avenue 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 26 Dugard Avenue, you can give feedback on this service.
26 Dugard Avenue is a domestic style single storey detached house in keeping with the other houses in the area.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The service was following correct infection prevention and control guidance and policy to protect people from infection and prevent the spread of infection.
The manager was following the government's guidance on whole home testing for people and staff. This included weekly testing and daily rapid testing for staff. All visitors were screened and rapid tested prior to entering the premises and visits from relatives were pre-arranged with agreed times to reduce exposure to others living there.
Alternative forms of maintaining social contact were used for relatives. For example, using video calls, weekly newsletters to family members, using a phone to communicate with and garden visits socially distanced in warmer weather.
All people using the service have received their first Covid-19 vaccination and staff were in the process of receiving theirs.
There was clear signage and guidance in the service to help prompt and remind staff on how to work safely and minimise the risk of spreading infection. Staff had received training in infection control, Covid-19 and personal protective equipment (PPE). They were using PPE properly and there was a good supply of PPE and hand sanitiser. Cleaning schedules had increased with regular hard surface and high touch cleaning carried out throughout the day.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the right support and other best practice guidance. These values included choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
At the last inspection, the service was rated good. At this inspection, we found the service remained good.
There was a registered manager in who was also the provider. They shared their working hours amongst two additional homes in the local area. When they were not at the service the day-to-day running of the home was the responsibility of the team leader. They liaised closely with the registered manager on a daily basis. 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.
People were safe because staff supported them to understand how to keep safe and staff knew how to manage risk effectively. There were sufficient numbers of care staff on shift with the correct skills and knowledge to keep people safe. There were appropriate arrangements in place for medicines to be stored and administered safely.
The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor how a provider applies the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is considered necessary to restrict their freedom in some way. Management and staff understood their responsibility in this area. Staff were committed to ensuring all decisions were made in people’s best interest.
Staff had good relationships with people who used the service and were attentive to their needs. People’s privacy and dignity was respected at all times. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care and support.
Care plans were individual and contained information about how people preferred to communicate and their ability to make decisions.
People were encouraged to take part in activities that they enjoyed. Staff supported people to keep in contact with family members.
When needed, people were supported to see health professionals and referrals were put through to ensure they had the appropriate care and treatment.
Relatives and staff were complimentary about the management of the service. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in providing safe and good quality care to the people who used the service.
There was a management structure in place, which provided clear lines of responsibility and accountability. Staff were committed and supported. Quality assurance checks were carried out to ensure people received a high quality service, which met their needs and protected their rights.
The inspection took place on 13 October 2015 and was unannounced. 26 Dugard Avenue provides accommodation and personal care for up to four people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. People who use the service may also have a physical disability. At the time of our inspection two people were living in the home.
A registered manager was in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Appropriate mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had been undertaken by relevant professionals.
People were safe because staff supported them to understand how to keep safe and staff knew how to manage risk effectively. There were sufficient numbers of care staff on shift with the correct skills and knowledge to keep people safe. There were appropriate arrangements in place for medicines to be stored and administered safely.
Staff had good relationships with people who used the service and were attentive to their needs. The atmosphere in the home was friendly and welcoming. People’s privacy and dignity was respected at all times.
People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Their care plans were individual and contained information about how they preferred to communicate and their ability to make decisions.
People were encouraged to take part in activities that they enjoyed and were supported to keep in contact with family members. When needed, they were supported to see health professionals and referrals were put through to ensure they had the appropriate care and treatment.
Relatives and staff were complimentary about the management of the service. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in providing safe and good quality care to the people who used the service.
There was an open and transparent culture in the service. The management team had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided.