Mill House

Updated 27 February 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 29 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 27 February 2021

Mill House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under a contractual agreement with the local authority, health authority or the individual, if privately funded. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Mill House provides accommodation and personal care for up to four people who have a learning disability. Mill House is an adapted residential property which can accommodate four people. The service is situated in a residential area of Colchester and is close to amenities and main bus routes. The premises is set out on three floors with each person using the service having their own individual bedroom and adequate communal facilities are available for people to make use of within the service. At the time of our inspection four people were using the service.

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.' Registering the Right Support CQC policy.”

At our last inspection of this service on 12 November 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring, that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

A registered manager was in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found systems and processes were in place to keep people safe. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people they cared for and assessed risks to their health and safety. Measures were in place to reduce these risks and people were supported to stay safe, whilst not unnecessarily restricting their freedom.

Incidents and accidents were reported and the management team completed a detailed analysis and investigation to reduce the risk of similar incidents happening again. All incidents were reviewed on a regular basis.

Medicines were managed effectively and safely. The premises and environment was generally well maintained and the required safety checks were completed. Infection prevention and control was effectively managed.

Staff received appropriate training for their role and they were supported to further develop their knowledge and skills. People's needs were assessed and care was delivered in line with national guidance. Care plans contained detailed information about each person's individual support and their preferences.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. When people were unable to make decisions about their care and support, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) were followed.

Although most people were unable to fully express themselves verbally, they clearly enjoyed living at the service and appeared to be relaxed and happy. Staff had developed caring relationships with people and treated them with kindness and respect. People felt able to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

People continued to receive care that was responsive to their individual needs. Staff had a detailed knowledge of the people they cared for and were able to recognise subtle cues from people that enabled them to respond effectively to their needs and wishes.

People led full and active lives. They engaged in a wide range of activities based on their personal choices. People were treated equally, without discrimination and information was presented to them in a way they could understand.

The registered manager and deputy manager provided good leadership and support to staff. Processes were in place to support the staff. The views of staff and people using the service and relatives were actively sought and listened to.

Quality audits and governance processes were in place to enable continuous improvement in the quality of the service provided and to ensure that learning was shared.