Archived: Principle Support - Cardwell Avenue

Updated 12 November 2019

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

The inspection team comprised of one inspector.

Service and service type

Principle Support – Cardwell Avenue 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 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

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information and evidence we already held about the home, which had been collected via our ongoing monitoring of care services. This included notifications sent to us by the home. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send to us without delay. We also sought feedback from partner agencies 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 one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five staff members, including the registered manager, locality manager and three support works. We spoke to one relative and attempted to contact two other relatives via telephone for feedback. We spent time observing daily life at the home.

We reviewed a range of records, including medication administration records (MAR’s), care records staff personnel files, training records as well as information relating to the health and safety and management and oversight of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 12 November 2019

About the service

Principle Support – Cardwell Avenue is a residential care home, which provides respite care to younger adults with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service can support up to four people.

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 received safe and caring support at the service. People received their medicines when they needed them, and there were systems in place to ensure people were protected against the risk of abuse. There was a friendly atmosphere at Principle Support – Cardwell Avenue, and we saw people looked well cared for.

Staff were recruited safely and there were enough of them to keep people safe and to meet their care needs. Staff were receiving appropriate training which was relevant to their role and people's needs. Staff were supported by the management team and were receiving formal supervisions where they could discuss their on-going development needs.

People’s needs were assessed, and care was planned and delivered in a person-centred way, in line with legislation and guidance. Staff knew people and their needs well, and we saw caring interventions and conversations throughout our inspection. People said they enjoyed their meals and their dietary needs and preferences were met. A range of meaningful activities were on offer to keep people occupied, according to their individual interests. Complaints and concerns were well managed, and the manager took prompt action to address any minor issues we raised during the inspection.

The management team conducted audits and checks to further ensure the quality and safety of services provided to people. The operation of the quality assurance processes had improved and actions arising from audits were being recorded and progressed. People, their relatives and staff were able to share their ideas and views about the service and support provided. Information and comments received were reviewed to explore any themes or patterns so improvements could be made.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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 26 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.