Archived: Valley Road

Updated 30 July 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 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 inspection took place on the 11 and 12 July 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

We last inspected this service in May 2015 when we identified two breaches of Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment.

Following our inspection the provider sent us an action plan detailing the improvements they would make. These actions have now been completed.

Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. We checked to see what notifications had been received from the provider. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) before our inspection. 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

During our inspection we spoke with the provider, registered manager, three members of staff and two people living at the home. Following our inspection we spoke with one social worker from the local authority and two relatives. We also received written feedback from one social worker in relation to one person who lived at Valley Road.

We looked at the provider’s records. These included two people’s care records, three staff files, a sample of audits, satisfaction surveys, staff attendance rosters, policies and procedures.

Some people were not able to verbally communicate their views with us or answer our direct questions. 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.

Updated 30 July 2016

The inspection took place on the 11 and 12 July 2016 and was unannounced.

Valley Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to five people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection five people were living at the home. The home provides a service for younger adults who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. Accommodation at the home is provided over two floors, which can be accessed using stairs.

The service had a registered manager. 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 told us they were safe and well cared for at the home. Staff knew how to identify abuse and protect people from it. Staff knew the individual needs of the people they supported very well.

The service had carried out risk assessments to ensure that they protected people from harm.

People were supported to take positive risks to enhance their independence, whilst staff took action to protect them from avoidable harm. Where risks were identified, there was guidance for staff on the ways to keep people safe in the home.

There were enough staff deployed to provide the support people needed. People received care from staff that they knew and who knew how they wanted to be supported.

The provider had robust recruitment processes in place to further ensure that people were kept safe.

Staff received training, regular supervision an appraisal to ensure their knowledge and skills up to date and at the required frequency.

Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely.

Staff had developed caring relationships with people who used the service. People were included in decisions about their care.

People who required support to eat or drink received this in a patient and kind way.

Car plans were reflective of the needs of people and contained guidance for staff to manage specific conditions.

Staff had a clear understanding of the visions and values of the service and provided kind and compassionate care.

The registered manager was knowledgeable about The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The Metal Capacity Act Code of Practice was followed when people were not able to make important decisions themselves. The manager understood their responsibility to ensure people’s rights were protected.

People and relatives were asked for their views on the service and their comments were acted on. There was no restriction on when people could visit the home. People were able to see their friends and families when they wanted.