481 Ipswich Road

Updated 20 May 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

481 Ipswich Road 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. 481 Ipswich Road is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service, including information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 16 November 2022. We sought information from partner agencies and received feedback from 5 professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR) in February 2023. 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.

The inspection

The people who used the service were unable to verbally converse with us due to their complex communication needs. We, therefore used informal observation to evaluate their experiences and to help us assess how their needs were being met. We also observed how staff interacted with people. We looked at records in relation to people’s care. We had contact with three people’s relatives.

We spoke with the registered manager, the manager and the team leader. We looked at records relating to the management of the service, staff recruitment and training, medicines management and systems for checking the quality and safety of the service.

Updated 20 May 2023

About the service

481 Ipswich Road is a residential care home providing personal care and support to up to 5 people with a learning disability or autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 5 people using the service.

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.

481 Ipswich Road is located in a residential area, similar in size and design to other properties in the road. It has a large garden and good access to the local community and its amenities.

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

It was evident from interactions observed that people were confident and relaxed in approaching and interacting with staff and they felt comfortable and safe in their environment. Relatives were positive about the care people received. One relative told us their family member was, “always happy” and another told us, “We’re still in the settling in period, I haven’t seen any indication that [name] is not happy there and that is of paramount importance.”

Right Support:

The registered manager told us their primary aim was to provide a homely environment, to support people to increase their independence, maximise their potential and promote inclusion. This was evident throughout our inspection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and were enabled to live fully integrated lives within the community. One person awoke that morning and decided they wanted to take a train journey to the seaside and they were supported to do as they wished. They returned very excited showing off their purchases. Staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Care and support was continually reviewed and revised to ensure best outcomes for people. Relatives and professionals were extremely complimentary about the service and what it provided.

Right Care:

People received kind and compassionate care from staff who understood their individual and specific needs. Care and support planned and delivered was personalised and tailored to the individual’s needs, respecting their rights and diversity. Management and staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. They had a positive attitude towards managing risk and keeping people safe. A professional told us, “On first impression, when I first entered the building, it was apparent this was a busy home and there was plenty going on. The general feel of the atmosphere within the home was of a very caring place to be. Both service users and staff appeared content”.

People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. People who had individual ways of communicating using pictures and symbols or Makaton (a form of sign language) could interact comfortably with staff and others involved in their care and support. Staff were alert to emotional communication and responded effectively to signs of distress, anxiety and frustration in line with detailed personal behaviour support plans.

Right Culture:

There was a strong emphasis on promoting good practice in the service and there was a well-developed understanding of equality, diversity and human rights and management. Staff put these into practice enabling people to live as full a life as possible. People were supported to achieve best possible outcomes that included choice and independence. The registered manager inspired confidence in the staff team and led by example.

The provider had a thorough recruitment and selection process in place to check that staff were suitable to work with people who used the service. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs effectively. Staffing levels were flexible to support people to follow their interests, take part in social activities or attend hospital /GP appointments and follow ups with healthcare professionals.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we inspected

This is a new service registered with us on 31 March 2022 and this is the first inspection.

We undertook this inspection to assess the service was 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.