Background to this inspection
Updated
14 March 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and one assistant inspector.
Service and service type
Ash House is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. 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
What we did before the inspection
We sought feedback from local authority commissioners, and we reviewed the information we had received about the service since it registered with us in February 2019. We used this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and three people’s relatives about their experiences of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and three care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. These included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including staff training data and quality audits were looked at.
Updated
14 March 2020
About the service
Ash House is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for younger people with learning disabilities. The service was a large domestic style property registered to support up to six people. Four people were using the service during our visit.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
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 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.
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.
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.
Relatives felt their family members were safe living at Ash House and procedures were in place to protect people from harm. Risks associated with people's care and support were assessed and staff knew how to manage risks to keep people safe.
Staff were recruited safely, and enough staff were on duty to meet people's needs in a timely way. Recruiting new staff was one of the registered managers main priorities.
The management of people’s medicines was safe, and people received their medicines when they needed them. People had access to health professionals when needed and the staff team worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to ensure people received the care they needed to remain well.
People received responsive and personalised care from staff who knew them well. Staff cared about people and interactions between people and staff were positive. The culture of the home was friendly and inclusive and people-maintained relationships that were important to them. People took a part in a range of social activities in line with their wishes.
People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home and their care records contained detailed information which helped staff to provide personalised care. Regular reviews of people's care took place and relatives felt included in making decisions when appropriate.
Relatives had confidence in the ability of staff to provide effective care. Staff spoke positively about the ongoing training they received, and they had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs.
People were encouraged to eat nutritionally balanced meals to maintain their health. Where possible people were involved in weekly menu planning.
People and relatives knew how to raise complaints any complaints received were investigated in line with the provider's procedure. The staff team demonstrated commitment to learning lessons where things went wrong to improve outcomes for people.
The environment was clean and tidy during our visit and met people’s needs. People’s bedrooms were personalised. A variety of communal areas and a large rear garden offered people choices of where to spend their time.
People knew the registered manager. Staff felt supported and told us the service was well led. Feedback from people and their relatives was welcomed and listened to. Effective quality assurance processes were embedded and completed audits and checks demonstrated good governance.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 20/02/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.