Background to this inspection
Updated
14 January 2022
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection
outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
Stride is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The manager had submitted their application to register with CQC. This means the provider is 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. However, we gave the service notice of the inspection on our arrival. This was because we had to gather information on the home's current COVID-19 status and the provider's procedures for visiting professionals.
Inspection activity started on 22 November and ended on 23 December 2021. We visited the service on 22 November 2021.
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 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service. We spoke with two visiting social care professionals and five members of staff including a director of the organisation, manager, quality lead, and two support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care records in full, and four in part, and a selection of medication records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including staff recruitment, training data, quality assurance records, and policies and procedures were reviewed remotely. We spoke with one further support worker by telephone.
Updated
14 January 2022
About the service
Stride is a residential care home supporting up to 29 people living with complex mental health needs. Single occupancy accommodation is provided over two floors. At the time of this inspection there were 13 people living at the service.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
The service had made improvements since our last inspection which had been embedded into daily practice. Improvements had been made to the way people were involved with determining their care. Care plans were personalised, detailed and tailored to meet people's needs.
Staff knew where people were at risk and supported them to remain safe and make positive lifestyle choices.
The service had a stable staff team meaning people had continuity of care. Staff were recruited safely. Staff developed positive relationships with people and demonstrated a good understanding of the support people required.
People received their medication in a safe way. Medication reviews took place and all aspects of medication administration were reviewed and audited regularly.
Infection prevention and control procedures were in place and followed, and the latest government guidance was followed regarding COVID-19.
People were encouraged to become more independent, try new activities, and be involved in the local community.
There was an effective governance system to enable the manager and provider to monitor and improve the service. Lessons were learnt and shared amongst the team.
The manager understood their role and people and staff had confidence in their ability to run the service to a good standard. They worked to gain the views of the people living and working there in order to make improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 14 August 2020).
At this inspection we did not inspect all key questions. We found improvements had been made regarding elements of a breach of regulation 9 which remained from an inspection report published on 27 March 2020 in the responsive key question. The provider was no longer in breach of this regulation.
Why we inspected
We carried out an unannounced focused inspection of this service on 29 July 2020. Elements of a previous breach of legal requirement remained from an inspection conducted between 15 January and 7 February 2020.
We undertook this focused inspection to check the provider had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements.
This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Responsive and Well-led.
The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
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 Stride on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.