Archived: Red Houses

Updated 11 April 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 comprehensive took place on 1 March 2017 and was unannounced.

One inspector and an expert by experience undertook the inspection. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Prior to the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service including notifications. Statutory notifications include information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR) form sent to us. A PIR is a document that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to plan the inspection.

During the inspection, we looked around the home and observed the way staff interacted with people. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

People using the service had complex needs and were non-verbal. We spoke with two relatives who were visiting the service. We also spoke with the home manager and four members of care staff.

We looked at four people’s care records. We reviewed information about the management of the service and quality assurance monitoring checks. We looked at five staff records that included recruitment, induction, training, supervisions and appraisals.

After the inspection, we received feedback from two health and social care professionals.

Updated 11 April 2018

Red Houses provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At the time of the inspection, six people were using the service.

At the last inspection of 19 October 2015, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

A registered manager was in post. We were informed that the registered manager was on leave and would not be returning to the service. A home manager had submitted an application for registration with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People were supported by staff who understood how to protect them from the risk of harm. Staff attended training in safeguarding adults and knew how to identify and report abuse. People received appropriate care to manage known risks to their health and well-being.

The registered provider followed appropriate recruitment procedures to ensure people received care from suitable staff. People had their needs met by a sufficient number of suitably skilled and experienced staff.

People had their medicines managed and administered safely by staff who were trained to undertake this role. Staff reported, recorded and learnt from incidents and accidents. Staff followed good hygiene practices to prevent and control the risk of infection.

People’s care delivery met legislation requirements and best practice guidance. Staff received support and relevant training, refresher courses and supervision to empower them to undertake their roles. Staff obtained people’s consent to care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff understood and followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) when providing care and support. People enjoyed the meals provided and received support with their dietary needs. Staff supported people to access healthcare services to maintain their health.

People received care that staff delivered in a respectful, compassionate and dignified manner. Staff promoted people’s right to privacy, confidentiality and equal opportunity. People enjoyed positive caring relationships with the staff who provided their care.

People received an ongoing review of their needs and support plans. Staff provided care in line with people’s changing needs and their preferences. People knew how to make a complaint and were confident their concerns would be addressed. People at the end of the lives were made comfortable and supported to have a dignified and pain free death.

People using the service, their relatives and staff commended the registered manager and the manner in which they managed the service. An open and honest culture placed people at the centre of the service. Quality assurance systems remained effective in identifying shortfalls at the service. The registered manager and provider had a continuous improvement drive to develop the service. People’s quality of care improved because of the involvement of other agencies in their care.