The inspection took place on 2 November 2016 and was announced. At the last inspection on 19 January 2014 we identified a breach of Regulation 23 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 which is now Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014). We had not received an action plan following that inspection. At this inspection on we saw that improvements had been made and the service was meeting regulations.Newgate Lane is part of a national organisation called Community Integrated Care which is a social care charity. It is a care home providing care and support to four people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection it was fully occupied.
There was a registered manager employed at this service who had been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) only one week when we carried out the inspection but had worked at the service since April 2016. They had responsibility for four services, one of which was Newgate Lane. 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.
There was sufficient staff working at the service during the day and at night to meet people's assessed needs. They were recruited safely with references and background checks completed.
Staff were aware of who to alert if they had concerns about anyone’s safety. They had been trained to recognise abuse and had clear procedures to follow.
Medicines were managed safely although there had been some confusion because out of date records had not been archived. This was dealt with immediately. We have made a recommendation about quality assuring the service.
Risk assessments were in place where there were any environmental risks. Servicing and maintenance checks were up to date. The environment was clean, tidy and well maintained.
There were risk assessments in place relating to people’s physical and mental health which were regularly reviewed.
Accidents and incidents had been recorded and analysed.
Staff had appropriate knowledge and skills to care for the people who lived at the service. When they started working at the service they had an induction followed by training in subjects relevant to their role. Staff were supported through supervision and appraisal.
People were supported to eat and drink and were encouraged to be as independent as possible where they could. Where people required support advice from the speech and language therapy team had been sought and acted upon.
The environment was homely but modern. There were appropriate adaptations made to meet the needs of people who used the service.
Staff had a caring approach and obviously knew people well. They had good relationships with people who used the service. They were respectful when speaking with people and each person was able to communicate in a meaningful way.
People had a care and support plan which reflected their needs and wants. The plan was regularly reviewed. Within the plan was an activity support plan which outlined the activities which people enjoyed.
People knew who to complain to if they had concerns.
The service was well led by a registered manager who had been at the service for six months. They had begun to make changes which benefitted people who lived at the service. They were a visible presence within the service.
There was a quality assurance system in place with an annual audit cycle. This would benefit from being more robust in some areas.