Crawford Street

Updated 8 September 2021

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Crawford Street is a ‘care home’ providing a respite service. 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

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection, which had been carried out when the service was under a previous provider. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection and we took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

The people currently using the service were unable to speak with us, but we observed staff interactions with people who used the service throughout the day. We spoke with three members of staff including a senior support worker and two support workers. The registered manager was unavailable on the day of the inspection.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at a staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We spoke with five relatives and contacted two professionals who regularly visited the service. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We contacted the registered manager to seek some further evidence.

Updated 8 September 2021

About the service

Crawford Street provides a short stay respite service for up to six adults with a learning disability. The home is a single storey building close to Bolton town centre. On the day of the inspection there were two people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

There were appropriate systems in place to help safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff had completed safeguarding training. Individual risks were assessed, monitored and managed well. Health and safety measures and checks were in place. Systems were in place to manage people’s medicines safely. Infection control systems were appropriate and all guidance was followed. The premises were designed and decorated in a way that met people’s accessibility and mobility needs.

Staff were recruited safely and staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs. Training opportunities were plentiful and regular refreshers of training required by the provider were completed. Staff were supported with regular meetings and one to one supervision sessions.

People’s needs were assessed and continually updated. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and follow any individual dietary needs or requirements. Referrals to other agencies or professionals were made as required.

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 loved ones were treated with respect and observations showed staff interacted in a friendly and caring way with people. Staff demonstrated a real understanding of the individuals and their requirements and communication needs.

Complaints were followed up in an appropriate and timely way. Quality performance was monitored via regular audits and checks. Any issues identified were addressed with actions.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The service was committed to ensuring a positive culture which emphasized choice and independence and respected people’s individuality.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us under a new provider on 15 October 2018 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 22 February 2018.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection because the service had not been inspected before under the new provider.

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.

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.