The Mews

Updated 13 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Mews is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. 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:

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out. We wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us and the registered manager or staff were available.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We reviewed other information we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We also sought feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time and spoke with the four people living in the home. We also spoke with two members of staff, two relatives and the registered manager as well as the operations manager over the telephone. We looked at the care records of two people who used the service and looked around the premises. We observed staff interaction with people. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s medication records, one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek feedback from the provider to validate evidence found. The registered manager and operations manager sent us additional information relevant to the inspection.

Updated 13 November 2019

About the service

The Mews provides accommodation personal care for up to four people with a learning disability. The home is a purpose built bungalow situated on the outskirts of Blyth, Northumberland. Accommodation is provided in four single rooms. Shared space includes a dining kitchen, living room and sensory room. At the time of the inspection, there were four people living in the home.

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.

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

People were comfortable and safe living in the home. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. The provider operated an effective recruitment procedure to ensure prospective staff were suitable to work for the service. The registered manager and staff carried out risk assessments to enable people to retain their independence and receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. People received their medicines safely. The provider had arrangements in place for the maintenance and upkeep of the building.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the home supported this practice. People’s needs were assessed at regular intervals. The provider had appropriate arrangements to ensure staff received training relevant to their role. New staff completed an induction training programme. Staff felt supported by the registered manager.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes. Staff spoke with people in a friendly manner. Wherever possible, people and their families were involved in the development and review of their care plans. This meant staff had up to date information about people’s needs and wishes. People were supported and encouraged to participate in a range of activities and were supported to have holidays away from the home. People had access to a clear complaint’s procedure.

The registered manager carried out a number of audits to check the quality of the service. The registered manager provided leadership and took into account the views of people, their relatives, staff and visiting professional staff about the quality of care provided. The registered manager and staff used the feedback to make improvements to the service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 21 June 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.