Background to this inspection
Updated
13 February 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
One inspector completed this inspection.
Service and service type
Baldock is operated as a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and 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 did not have a manager registered with Care Quality Commission. The registered manager, alongside the provider, are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of care provided. A newly employed manager had recently submitted their application to register. Throughout this report they will be referred to as the manager.
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. We also sought feedback from the local authority. We used all of 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 sought feedback from two people who used the service. We spoke to the manager, team leader, two support workers, a senior manager and the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care and medication records. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. On 21 January 2020 the provider sent us information about how they would take action to make improvements. We reviewed the registration conditions of the service and sought assurances that the provider would ensure the correct registration of the service.
Updated
13 February 2020
About the service
Baldock is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 20 people with a learning disability and/or physical disability. Three other homes in the local area provide accommodation and care for up to 15 people, however at the time of the inspection these were incorrectly registered. On the day of our inspection, five people were using the service at Baldock.
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 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.
People were safe at the service and there were enough staff to meet their support needs. Risks were managed appropriately. People were supported to manage their medications safely.
People’s needs were fully assessed before care was provided at Baldock. Staff had received all necessary training and told us they felt supported in their role. People’s individual nutritional needs were assessed and people were supported to eat their meals in line with this assessment. The service worked well with other professionals to ensure people received the right support. The home was clean, although in some areas required some further decoration. Staff sought people's consent prior to offering care or support.
People said staff were kind and caring. Staff supported people to maintain their dignity and promoted their privacy. People were supported to communicate their wishes and make their own decisions. Staff were knowledgeable about how to provide care that met people’s preferences and reflected their choices. Discussions about people’s end of life wishes had been documented. People were able to raise their concerns or complaints which were acted on promptly.
The service was not correctly registered with the Care Quality Commission. Quality assurance systems were in place although not always effectively operated. The management team were developing care plans to be more person centred and reflective of people’s current care needs. The management team were approachable and supportive to staff; however, the manager was not always visible within the service to support staff as required. Meetings did not provide staff regular opportunity to discuss ideas, suggestions or management of the service.
Rating at Last Inspection
This service was registered with us on 03/01/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on date the service registered.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor the service to ensure people receive safe, compassionate, high quality Care. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.