Archived: Crossbrook Cottage

Updated 8 January 2016

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 was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2014 and to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 25 November 2015 and was carried out by one Inspector. The inspection was unannounced. Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications relating to the service. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us.

During the inspection we spoke with two people who lived at the home, three support staff, a team leader, the deputy manager, the manager and operation manager. We also talked to three social care professionals and one health care professional to obtain their views about how the service supported people. We contacted one relative following the inspection.

We looked at two care plans, two employment files and a range of other relevant documents relating to how the service operated. We observed staff interaction with people who used the service to see if people were treated in a kind, caring and compassionate way.

Updated 8 January 2016

The inspection took place on the 25 November 2015 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection of this service since registration in March 2015. At this inspection we found that they were meeting the required standards.

Crossbrook Cottage is registered to provide accommodation, personal care and treatment for six people with mental health needs and learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were three people living at the home.

There was a newly employed manager in position who had not yet registered with the Care Quality 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.

People`s medicines were administered safely by staff however we noted one area of concern which was immediately addressed by the manager of the service to ensure people’s safety.

People were cared for in a purpose built environment which was secure and suitable for people with mental health problems.

Staff were knowledgeable and trained to recognise any signs of abuse and knew how to report concerns. There were enough staff to meet people`s needs safely at all times.

People were encouraged and supported to be independent and where possible go out socially without restrictions. Risk to people`s health, safety and wellbeing were recognised, discussed with people and managed in a way to minimise restrictions and keep people safe.

Staff knew people well, they were able to recognise and avoid triggers which could have provoked behaviours which were challenging to manage. People`s physical and mental health was monitored and reviewed regularly by staff, psychiatrists and health and social care professionals.

Staff were trained and skilled to ensure they had the abilities and knowledge to understand and meet people`s needs at all times. Newly employed staff had comprehensive induction training, they were given time to learn about people`s needs and mental health. They were introduced to one person at a time to ensure they had time to get to know people well.

The provider had a good understanding of people’s conditions and they accepted new people into the home after a thorough assessment. People had been allowed the time to settle and to get to know each other before new people were considered for admission to the home.

The manager had identified areas in need of improvement, they were in the process of changing the format of support plans to ensure that people were in the centre of their plans and the support offered was tailored to their needs and preferences. People were involved in writing their own care plans and agreed long and short term goals. Staff supported people to achieve their goals.

The provider carried out several audits weekly and monthly and any issues emerging following these audits were actioned and followed up to help ensure the service improved and the shortfalls were corrected.