Archived: Thomas Road

Updated 10 August 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced inspection took place on 23 June 2016 and was undertaken by one inspector. We told the provider before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because people are not always at the service and we need to be sure they would be present for our inspection.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at all the information we held about the service. We also asked for feedback from the commissioners of people’s care, Healthwatch Cambridge and from health and social care professionals who have regular contact with the service. We received feedback from one social care professional and one commissioner of the service.

During our inspection we spoke with three people and one regular visitor to the service. This was a person who had known all three people for a few of years. We also spoke with the registered manager and the deputy manager. Throughout the inspection we observed how the staff interacted with people who lived at the service.

We looked at two people’s care records, staff training records and other records relating to the management of the service. These included audits, staff shift rosters and meeting minutes.

Updated 10 August 2016

Thomas Road provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people who have learning disabilities.

This announced inspection took place on 23 June 2016. There were three people receiving care at that time.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was fully aware of his legal responsibilities in relation to his registration and management of the service.

Staff were only employed after the provider had carried out comprehensive and satisfactory pre-employment checks. People experienced a good quality of life because staff were well trained and well supported by the provider and registered manager. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s assessed needs. Systems were in place to ensure people’s safety was effectively managed. There were effective procedures for reporting concerns and of how to protect people from harm.

People received their prescribed medicines appropriately. People’s health, care and support needs were effectively met by a sufficient number of skilled staff. People were provided with a balanced diet and staff were aware of and met people’s dietary needs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. We found that there were formal systems in place to assess people’s capacity for decision making and applications had been made to the authorising agencies for people who needed these safeguards. Staff respected people choices and staff were aware of the key legal requirements of the MCA and DoLS.

People received person centred care and support from staff who were kind, caring and friendly and patient. Staff supported people to develop and maintain meaningful relationships. People had opportunities to comment on the service provided. People were supported to be involved in all decisions about their lives.

Care records provided staff with sufficient guidance to ensure each person received consistent, individualised care. People’s care was kept under review to their needs were consistently met. People were meaningfully occupied and were provided with opportunities to engage in a range of different activities and pastimes. Staff supported people to have new experiences. People were supported to be members of the local community.

The registered manager was supported by a staff team that including a deputy manager and support workers. The service was well run. Staff including the registered manager, were professional and approachable. People and their visitors were encouraged to provide continuous feedback on the service both formally and informally. People’s views were listened to and acted on.