Archived: Northdown Road

Updated 29 June 2019

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 team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in five ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. 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 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ 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 13 June 2019 and ended on 13 June 2019. We visited the office location on 13 June 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the support provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, two deputy managers, a senior care worker and the director of services.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s support records and medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We spoke with a relative and contacted two health professionals for feedback about the service.

Updated 29 June 2019

About the service

RNID Action on Hearing Loss Northdown Road is a care at home service providing personal care to young adults with hearing loss and a learning disability in their own homes. There were eight people living in five houses, being supported by the service at the time of the inspection.

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

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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.

Potential risks to people’s health and welfare had been assessed and there was guidance in place to mitigate the risks to keep people safe. People were supported to take positive risks and take part in new activities.

Each person had a support plan that had details of their choices and preferences, staff had

detailed instructions on how to support people’s routines. These support plans were reviewed

regularly by the person, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals.

People were supported by staff who were recruited safely and received training that was required

to support people’s needs. Staff knew how to protect people from abuse and discrimination.

Checks and audits were completed to check the quality of the service provided. People and staff

were asked their opinions on the service and their suggestions about how to improve the service.

There was an open and transparent culture within the service. People were comfortable in the

company of staff and the registered manager, people were laughing and joking with the staff.

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 16 December 2016).

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.