Brook House

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Brook House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 new manager who was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission. This means that when they have 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 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 reviewed any notifications or information we had received at CQC about the service since our last inspection.

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 five members of staff including the provider’s care services manager, the manager, a senior care worker and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included the manager sending us evidence of capacity assessments and best interests discussions with regard to people. The manager also sent us some additional information regarding people living at Brook House that we requested. We received feedback from two social care professionals.

Updated 13 February 2020

About the service

Brook House is a care home providing accommodation, personal and nursing care for up to four people with a learning disability, such as autism. At the time of our inspection four people were living at the service. Each person had their own bedsit which consisted of a lounge/dining/kitchenette area, bathroom and bedroom.

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 had access to activities and although there were more opportunities for people since our last inspection, people would benefit from additional individualised activities. We have issued a recommendation to the registered manager in relation to this.

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 said staff were kind and caring. People were encouraged to make their own decisions and develop new skills around day to day living. People lived in an environment that was clean, suitable for their needs, giving them privacy and a sense of ownership.

People received the medicines they required and staff followed guidance in order to keep people safe and free from harm. Information in people’s support plans gave enough guidance to staff to enable them to provide responsive care.

People were cared for by staff who received training and who were competent in their role. People had access to professional support and staff supported people to eat a range of different foods of their choosing in order to keep healthy.

Staff checked the service was working well and involved people, their relatives and staff in decisions. Staff were looking for ways to strengthen community engagement.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 21 September 2017). We found at this inspection, the service had sustained the Good rating.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.