Yeoman House

Updated 9 December 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

This inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in their own homes using a supported living model. This enables people to live as independently as possible in their community. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

The service did not have had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. That meant the provider was legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave the service three days’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 19 October 2021 and ended on 29 October 2021. We visited the office location on 19th October 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it had become registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 also contacted the local authority for feedback. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service and two people’s relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with seven staff members including the manager, team leader, two support workers, operations manager, a director and a positive behaviour specialist; this was a mix of in person and video call conversations. We visited the office and reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records plus a range of records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and support; and a variety of other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 9 December 2021

About the service

Yeoman House provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes, using the supported living model. The service specialises in supporting people with autism. At the time of our inspection two people were using this service.

People lived in flats which they held the tenancy for. The staff office was located in the same building. Everyone needed support from staff 24hours a day and their support had been designed to meet their assessed needs and choices.

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

People received safe care and treatment. Care records provided detailed information for staff on how to safeguard each individual and minimise the risk of harm. People received their medicines when they needed them, and accidents and incidents were reviewed to look at ways to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future. Staff recruitment was safe and staffing levels were based on individual's needs. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control (IPC) and followed national guidance in relation to COVID-19 testing.

People’s needs had been robustly assessed prior to them receiving care. Referrals were made to health and social care professionals when needed and their advice was followed. People’s dietary needs were met, and people were involved as much as possible in the preparation of their own meals and drinks. Staff received the training and support they needed to meet people’s specific needs and deliver safe and effective care.

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 and their relatives were positive about their care and support; told us the staff were kind and caring and knew them well. People were encouraged to learn new skills and be as independent as possible. Staff supported people to live the lifestyle of their choice. People were treated with dignity and respect and their communication needs were met.

There were quality assurance systems in place to ensure care and support were kept to a good standard. The service worked with a range of healthcare and multidisciplinary professionals to achieve good outcomes for people.

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 meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care, the way staff provided care and support and the leadership of the service promoted people’s choice, community inclusion and independence.

Right support:

• As far as possible, people were in control of how they lead their lives and were supported to learn and maintain daily living skills.

Right care:

• People were treated as individuals and their personal preferences were known and upheld by staff that knew them well.

Right culture:

• Positive relationships had been formed between people and the staff that supported them. The provider engaged and included people in all aspects of their support, including the selection of new staff. Staff were proud of how they worked together as a team to ensure people were supported to make decisions for themselves and lead the life they wanted.

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 26 May 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had not been inspected since registration.

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.