We carried out a review of the data available to us about Heart of England Mencap - 201 Drayton Avenue on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Heart of England Mencap - 201 Drayton Avenue, you can give feedback on this service.
• People felt safe and comfortable around staff who understood their personal circumstances and how to recognise and report abuse.
• Staff recognised the risks to people’s health, safety and well-being and knew how to support them safely.
•People had access to support from staff when needed.
•Staff recruitment processes included a check of their background to review their suitability to work at the home.
•People received support with the medicines. Regular checks were undertaken to ensure people received the correct medicines by staff who were competent to help them.
•Staff understood and practised infection control techniques and had access to protective clothing to promote this.
•The registered manager ensured people’s care was based on best practice and staff had training to meet people’s needs.
•Staff training was reviewed and guidance on people’s needs was also shared through supervision and staff meetings.
•People were offered choices at mealtimes and encouraged to share ideas for their menu. Healthy options were also encouraged.
•People were supported to attend healthcare appointments and assisted to obtain advice from healthcare professionals, which was incorporated into people’s care.
•People’s consent was always sought before staff supported them.
•People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence was promoted.
• People and their families were involved in planning their care with support from staff.
•Staff supported people to enjoy a range of activities which reflected people’s individual interests.
• People and their families understood how to complain if they wanted to.
• Staff felt supported by the registered manager understood their role.
• Relatives and staff worked together with the registered manager and families to ensure people’s care was continually monitored, reviewed and reflected people’s needs.
• The registered manager and staff worked together with manager from the provider’s other homes and other stakeholders to improve people’s experience of care.
• We found the service met the characteristics of a “Good” rating in all areas; More information is available in the full report
Rating at last inspection: Good (07 June 2016)
About the service: 201 Drayton Avenue provides accommodation and personal care for up to 5 people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service provides respite stays of varying lengths. There were three people staying at the service at the time of our inspection. There was one people living at the home at the time of the inspection.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained rated Good overall.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.
Heart of England Mencap - 201 Drayton Avenue provides accommodation and personal care for up to 5 people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service provides respite stays of varying lengths. There were three people staying at the service at the time of our inspection. The provider owns the property and is responsible for managing it. The service was last inspected on 9 July 2013 when we found no breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations.
The service has 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 felt safe using the service and staff understood how to protect people from abuse. There were processes to minimise risks associated with people’s care to keep them safe in most cases, however one person’s care had not been reviewed following an incident. The registered manager assured us that steps would be taken to reduce the risks of a similar incident occurring again .
There were enough suitably trained staff to deliver care and support to people. The provider made checks on staff to ensure their suitability to work with people who used the service. Staff received an induction and a programme of training to support them in meeting people’s needs effectively. Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), and staff respected people’s decisions and gained people’s consent before they provided personal care.
People told us staff were kind and caring and had the right skills and experience to provide the care and support they required. Care plans and risk assessments contained relevant information for staff to help them provide the care people required. Staff treated people in a way that respected their dignity and promoted their independence.
People were involved in planning how they were cared for and supported. Care was planned to meet people’s individual needs and preferences and care plans were regularly reviewed.
People knew how to complain and were able to share their views and opinions about the service they received. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager and were confident they could raise any concerns or issues, knowing they would be listened to and acted on.
There were processes to monitor the quality of the service provided and understand the experiences of people who used the service. This was through regular communication with people and staff, returned surveys and a programme of other checks and audits.
On the day of our visit, one person who used the service went out for most of the day to attend a club. The other person was involved in different activities throughout the day. For example they gave us a tour of the service and showed us their bedroom. In the afternoon they went out to the cinema, supported by a staff member.
We saw staff demonstrated they understood people's personal needs and the ways they communicated those needs.
We saw that people's care plans were person centred and reflected their individual needs. We found the members of staff supported people as detailed within their care plans.
We found that the service had a complaints process that was accessible for people in the home. People who lived in the home told us they felt able to make a complaint is they wished.
We saw the provider ensured that the appropriate checks were undertaken before a new member of staff was employed. Staff we spoke with told us about their induction and about training they had received.
There was the maximum of four people using the service on the day we visited. Two were more readily able and willing to talk; one particularly so. One person happily showed us around the house, told us about people who stayed there, and the staff, and had a very positive view of the home. They showed us 'photos of us and the gang', and were definite that 201 Drayton Avenue was a 'good place!' One other person gave positive vocal responses, and there was much banter and laughter. The two other people stopping there that day were quieter, but also appeared content and happy to be there.
We later spoke to the family carers of the two quieter people there. They were very positive about the service, and said that their adult children were always happy to go. Comments included 'absolutely marvellous', 'really looks forward to going there', 'looked after well', and they make sure 'as far as they can' that people are 'stopping with people they get on with.'
The home was smart, tidy, well maintained, and homely, and the people stopping there were comfortable and at ease, and could access all parts of the house. The only exception to this was the small staff room, with the blunt message 'Staff only ' keep out'. Staff said that this was essential so that staff could do such jobs as checking medication undisturbed.