Background to this inspection
Updated
6 June 2020
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 was carried out by one inspector
Service and service type
St Marys residential care home 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 on the first day. The second day was announced.
What we did before the inspection
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. This information helps support our inspections.
We reviewed any information we held about the service such as notifications. Notifications are information about specific events, the provider is required to send us by law.
During the inspection-
We carried out observations of staff interacting with people and we spoke with two people who used the service. We reviewed care records for three people. The inspector spoke to three care staff and senior members of staff including the registered manager (also area manager), nominated individual, training coordinator and the deputy manager.
Updated
6 June 2020
About the service
St Mary’s is a residential care home providing personal care to three people with learning disabilities and/or autism. 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 care and support from staff who were kind, empathetic and respectful. Staff took the time to get to know people well and understand their preferences and wishes. The service strongly promoted equality and diversity and we saw many examples of this. Staff used different methods to support people to express their views and make choices about their care, depending on how people communicated and what worked best for them. People's care promoted their privacy, dignity and independence.
The positivity and 'can do' attitude of the staff helped to enhance people's quality of life. People were encouraged to live full and active lives and achieve their goals. Staff were positive about working in the service and received good training and support to fulfil their roles. Their performance and development needs were monitored.
Staff took a positive approach to risks where they would enhance people's lives. The service's vision and values were person-centred to make sure people were at the heart of the service. People's wishes and preferences, no matter how small were acted upon to make their lives happier.
Systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training . A person-centred approach was taken in relation to medicines management. People were cared for by a consistent and stable staff team who knew people well.
The service was safe and risks to people were managed well. There were enough staff employed to help keep people safe and to meet their needs. Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks were completed before staff started work at the service.
The service was effective in meeting people’s needs. Staff received regular supervision and support. The annual training programme equipped staff with essential skills and knowledge. Arrangements were made for people to see a GP and other healthcare professionals when they needed to do so. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of the support they required. People were supported to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and their preferences were respected.
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 was well led. Care was person centred in nature and people were encouraged to play an active part in planning their own support. There was an open and transparent culture where people felt able to raise any issues or concerns and could be confident, they would be listened to.
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 Outstanding (published 9 August 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.