Archived: Croft House

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

The registered manager and staff worked in partnership with people, their relatives and health professionals to ensure people received safe care.

Systems were in place to ensure people were supported by staff who had the skills and experience to meet their needs. However, we found some of this information was not readily available. We also noted that some induction information relating to agency staff could not be fully relied upon. Therefore, we have recommended that the registered manager reviews the systems in place to ensure information is available and that inductions are specific to the service and the people they support.

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. However, we found some records relating to the recording of MCA and best interests’ decisions, in places lacked detail. Therefore, we have recommended that the provider reviews all documentation relating to MCA and the recording of best interests’ decisions.

Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were assessed and management plans were in place to keep people and staff safe.

Medicines were being managed safely.

People were protected from the risk of abuse because staff had been trained on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.

People were supported by staff who had been recruited safely and there were enough staff to make sure people had the care and support they needed.

There was a clear management structure and staff felt supported and listened to.

The quality of service people received was monitored on a regular basis and where improvements were required these were acted on.

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.

Right support: Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and Independence.

People were able to do and choose how they spent their time and supported by staff to take part in activities and pursue their interests in their local area/community. People were supported and encouraged to be as independent as possible and staff had a good awareness of people's needs and preferences but understood this was their choice.

Right care: Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. Staff knew people well and understood how to communicate effectively with people. Staff spoke to people in a dignified and respectful way and it was clear from our observations that people and staff had developed good relationships.

Right culture: The ethos, values and attitudes of managers and staff helped to ensure people using services were enabled to lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives. The registered manager and staff spoke passionately about promoting people's wellbeing, safety, and security. Staff understood their role in making sure that people were always put first, and their care and support was tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

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 03 July 2020 and this is the first rating inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection for a newly registered service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

We found the following examples of good practice.

Systems were in place to help manage the risks and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There was a clear system in place for visitors to ensure they followed the current guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing. Instructions were easily accessible on arrival at the service to ensure visitors understood the infection prevention and control protocols they needed to follow to keep people safe.

Visitors to the service were asked to wear PPE, have their temperature checked, wash their hands and complete a health declaration questionnaire before they would be allowed to enter the main part of the building.

Staff had received additional training in infection prevention and control and the use of PPE including masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser. There were sufficient stocks available and staff were seen to be wearing PPE appropriately.

People and staff took part in regular COVID-19 "whole home" testing. People and staff who tested positive followed national guidance and self-isolated for the required amount of time.

Staff helped people to socially distance by spacing out tables and chairs in communal areas. People were given their own PPE and hand gel to use if they wished.

Cleaning schedules and procedures had been enhanced to include more frequent cleaning of touch points such as handrails and light switches. In addition, the service carried out monthly infection prevention and control audits.

The registered manager had worked closely with the Local Authority and infection prevention and control teams throughout the pandemic. The provider had developed specific COVID-19 policies and procedures which had been reviewed, updated and where necessary, changed in line with the latest guidance.

We were assured this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines.