Background to this inspection
Updated
14 May 2022
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.
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
One inspector carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
White Horse Care Trust - 5 Elcot Close is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. White Horse Care Trust - 5 Elcot Close is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). 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 this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We communicated with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. This included using symbols, body language and more formal types of communication such as simple sign language supporting speech and communication used symbol-based system.
We are improving how we hear people’s experience and views on services, when they have limited verbal communication. We have trained some CQC team members to use a symbol-based communication tool. We checked that this was a suitable communication method and that people were happy to use it with us. We did this by reading their care and communication plans and speaking to staff or relatives and the person themselves. In this report, we used this communication tool with four people to tell us their experience.
We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager and a representative of the provider. We spent time observing people and informally interacting with them in their home. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and related 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, training data and quality assurance records were reviewed.
Updated
14 May 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
White Horse Care Trust - 5 Elcot Close is a residential care home providing personal care for five people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to five people. Most people had limited verbal communication.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
¿ People were supported by staff to pursue their interests. When people expressed a new interest or wish staff would find ways to support them to do this.
¿ Staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence and they had control over their own lives.
¿ Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life.
¿ People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms. All people were comfortable moving around communal spaces and could go where they wanted.
¿ Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. Staff were exploring further ways of communicating with people in ways that met their needs.
¿ Staff supported people with their medicines in a way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcome.
¿ Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing. This included when people required more specialist interventions.
Right Care
¿ People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs. Clear guidance was in place to support new and temporary staff working at the home.
¿ Staff promoted equality and diversity in their support for people. They understood people’s cultural needs and provided culturally appropriate care.
¿ Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
¿ The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
¿ People could take part in activities and pursue interests that were tailored to them. The service gave people opportunities to try new activities that enhanced and enriched their lives.
Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face. Where appropriate, staff encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.
Right culture
¿ People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff.
¿ People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes.
¿ People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs.
¿ People and those important to them, including advocates, were involved in planning their care.
¿ People’s quality of life was enhanced by the service’s culture of improvement and inclusivity.
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 19 October 2017).
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.