Background to this inspection
Updated
4 June 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 and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The inspector visited the home on 29 April 2021 and the Expert by Experience made telephone calls to relatives on 30 April 2021.
Service and service type
Cherry Blossom 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. We gave a short notice period of the inspection because of the risks associated with COVID19. This meant that we could discuss how to ensure everyone remained safe during the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the provider and registered manager.
We looked at three people's care records to see how their care was planned and delivered, including preassessment records and risk assessments. Other records we looked at included, accident and incident records, safeguarding, fire safety procedures, complaints and compliments, staff scheduling, management of medication and the provider's audits, quality assurance, infection control procedures and overview information about the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at safeguarding and quality assurance records.
Updated
4 June 2021
About the service
Cherry Blossom is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to six people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection three people lived at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives were not consistently involved in the review and development of care plans.
Relatives and people told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them.
Staff had regular safeguarding training and knew about the different types of abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to protecting people from the risk of harm. Where risks to people had been identified, risk assessments were in place.
People received their medicines when they needed them. Staff were very knowledgeable about people's changing needs.
People were supported by staff who were well trained and competent in their role. People were assessed before they used the service to ensure their needs and preferences could be met.
Staff understood the importance of ensuring people's rights were understood and respected.
People and their relatives told us they felt well cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity and encouraged them to maintain relationships and keep their independence for as long as possible.
Where people lacked capacity, 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's communication needs were assessed and understood by staff. People were provided with information in a format which met their needs.
Staff liaised with other health care professionals to ensure people's safety and meet their health needs.
Staff spoke positively about working for the provider. They felt well supported and they could talk to management at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly. They felt valued and happy in their role.
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.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were working towards consistently meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
People were supported to be independent and have choice and control. Improvements are required to ensure peoples voices such as reviews being conducted.
Right care:
Care was delivered in a way which meant people's human rights were respected.
Right culture:
Cherry Blossom were working with management and staff at all levels to continually improve the culture of the service. Staff were aware of the organisations visions and values which were centred around supporting people to live meaningful lives.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The service was inspected but not rated (published 18 November 2020) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous published report.
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.