Archived: Braintree Healthcare Limited

Updated 14 November 2019

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.

Inspection team

One inspector and an assistant inspector conducted the inspection.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in three ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

The registered manager was not available on the day that we visited the service, but we subsequently spoke with them by telephone and they provided additional information.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection-

We spoke with seven people using the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff, including the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 14 November 2019

Braintree health care is a supported living service and supports people with a learning disability and or physical disability in the Braintree and Witham areas of Essex. People lived in self-contained flats and in two properties with shared communal areas.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People and their relatives spoke highly of the service and the level and quality of support provided. Staff and the management of the service shared a clear vision that people should lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

There were enough staff to support people and promote their independence. People were supported to access the community in the way they wanted to, which enhanced their wellbeing.

People were supported by staff who knew people well and with whom they had developed warm relationships.

Staff received training and were passionate about achieving the best outcomes for people. They told us that the management team were supportive and helpful.

People received their medicines when they needed them. People had access to a range of health care services to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.

People and their relatives told us that the management of the service consulted with them and they were given opportunities to feedback about how they were supported.

There were systems in place to audit and review how care was delivered.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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 11 February 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.