We carried out a review of the data available to us about Ben Russell Carers Ltd 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 Ben Russell Carers Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
Ben Russell Carers Ltd provides care and support to one person in their own home. The service was set up specifically to meet this person's needs. There are Trustees in place who, as part of their role, ensure the purpose of the service does not change. Please note this service is a single occupancy service so registered to 151 Buckingham Palace Road. The provider operates from the person’s home
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The person received effective care and consistent support from a small staff team with the skills to meet their complex needs. Staff continually monitored the person’s health and wellbeing and worked with other professionals to make sure the person received the treatment they required. They were committed to providing a service which put the person at the heart of everything they did and clearly demonstrated that they had built a very positive relationship with the person and saw them as their equal.
The staff team were exceptionally compassionate and knew the person extremely well and had built very strong and trusting relationships. They Staff were always willing to go 'above and beyond' if needed. Staff ensured the person was involved in all decision making and enabled the person to be as independent as possible.
The person used an alphabet board to communicate which enabled them to express their views. Care was organised around their wishes and preferences. Support plans were very detailed on the computerised system and gave staff detailed information about the person’s complex needs, likes and dislikes.
The person was supported by staff to have maximum choice and control of their life 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 person was protected from abuse by staff who were aware of the different types of abuse and were confident if they raised a concern action would be taken. Medicines were safely managed. There were two staff allocated on duty throughout the day and night which was sufficient to meet the person’s needs. The registered manager and staff delivered care to the highest standards, often undertaking additional tasks to ensure the person was protected and had a good quality of life.
The registered manager had been working with the person for 20 years. They knew the person they supported very well and was a very strong advocate for them to ensure their human rights were upheld.
The registered manager and provider’s nominated individual had systems in place to monitor quality and identify where improvements needed to be made. Staff said the registered manager and the provider’s nominated individual were very open and approachable which enabled them to discuss issues or seek advice.
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 18 July 2017). At this inspection the overall ratings of the service has remained the same. However, the rating for the caring domain has improved and is now outstanding.
Why we inspected
This was a scheduled/planned inspection based on date of registration
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
The service had reregistered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2016 because of a change in location. This was the first inspection since the new registration. The last inspection under the previous registration in March 2016 rated the service as ‘Good’ overall and across all of the domains. Ben Russell Carers Limited provides care and support to one person in their own home. The service was set up specifically to meet this person's needs in a house which had been purpose built to meet their needs.
When we visited there was a registered manager in post who had been working with the person for 17 years. 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 provider employed a registered nurse to oversee clinical decisions for the person. Since our last inspection a new registered nurse was working with the person and was the new nominated individual. They had responsibility for the clinical needs of the person and worked a minimum of five hours a week and ensured staff had the skills required to meet the person’s health needs.
There were two staff allocated on duty throughout the day and night which was sufficient to meet the person’s needs. The registered manager and staff delivered care to the highest standards, often undertaking additional tasks to ensure the person was protected and had a good quality of life.
Staff had a clear knowledge and understanding of the person’s needs likes and dislikes. Staff involved the person in all decision making and included them in discussions. They had developed a relationship which was caring and supportive. They offered care that was kind and compassionate; they respected their privacy and dignity. Staff had supported the person to develop friendships with people and members of their families who regularly visited the person and had become good friends.
Staff had been recruited safely and their induction involved both training and shadowing more experienced staff. There was a small staff team, and no new care staff had been employed at the service in the last two years. This meant the person’ received consistent care and treatment. Agency staff had needed to be used due to unexpected staff sickness. The registered manager said they worked with an agency and had consistent workers which the person was happy about. The registered manager was very clear staff would only be able to work with the person when they themselves said they were happy for them to work with them. Staff received regular training updates and had a clear knowledge of their responsibilities in respect of safeguarding vulnerable adults. They were confident that the registered manager would take action appropriately. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the impact this could have on the person they supported. Independent health care professionals had been involved when capacity assessments were required.
Staff received regular supervision and competence assessments. The person and their relatives confirmed they had confidence in staff and the management and were involved in developing their care plans and a regular review took place. Staff worked as a team and were positive about the open culture at the service. They said the registered manager and nurse who was also the nominated individual for the service expected high standards and led well. Staff were passionate about delivering a good service for the person.
Care files and medicine records were computerised and personalised to reflect the person’s personal preferences. Care plans identified their needs and were very detailed to guide care staff to ensure they received safe care. There were safe procedures and systems in place to ensure medicines were administered safely.
The person received a personalised service which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff supported the person to take part in meaningful social activities of their choosing so they had a fulfilled and meaningful life. They were constantly looking at innovative ways to improve the service by exploring and implementing new ideas to improve the persons experience and wellbeing.
The registered manager had a quality monitoring system at the service. They spoke with the person each day and had formal meetings every three months to ask their views. There was a complaints procedure in place; however no complaints had been made.