Athens House

Updated 15 March 2023

Inspection team

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector and 1 Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Athens House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because people living at the service often spent time away from service and we needed to be sure that a member of staff would be available to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and commissioners who work with the service. We also looked at information we had received and held on our system. This included notifications sent to us by the provider. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 1 person who lived at Athens House, 5 members of staff including the registered manager, the area manager and 3 members of care staff. We observed staff interactions with people and we reviewed a range of records. This included 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We spoke with 1 health and social care professional who regularly worked in partnership with the service. We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at the quality assurance systems the provider had in place and staff training records.

Updated 15 March 2023

About the service

Athens House is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 11 people. The service provides support to people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people using the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. In this service, the Care Quality Commission can only inspect the service received by people who get support with personal care. This includes help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where people receive such support, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection, 1 person was receiving personal care.

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

People felt safe and happy living at Athens House. Staff understood how to support people and completed risk assessments and care plans, which were reviewed regularly to ensure their needs were met. People lived in a safe, clean environment with suitable equipment and facilities. Prior to employing new staff the provider completed checks to make sure they were of suitable character to support people in as safe way.

Staff received training so they have the knowledge and skills to support people and their individual needs. This included training to administer medicines safely. People were involved in planning and making decisions about their care and support and could state their preferences for how this was provided. Staff knew people well and understood how their needs should be met in line with their preferences. The provider checked with people at regular intervals that the care and support they received was continuing to meet their needs and sought their views about how the service could be continuously improved.

Staff supported people in a dignified way which maintained people's privacy and independence. 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 took part in activities that reflected their interests and preferences. Relatives and friends were free to visit people without any unnecessary restrictions. The service had been designed and decorated to meet people's needs and people had a choice of comfortable spaces to spend time in.

The registered manager sought feedback from people, relatives and staff, and welcomed complaints and compliments and used this to drive improvements. The registered manager audited various aspects of the home including staff training, health and safety, and care plans. Staff worked in partnership with health and social care professionals.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary , the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

We registered this service on 05 August 2021 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

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