The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Tewkesbury View Care Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3PW (01242) 672043

Provided and run by:
The Brandon Trust

All Inspections

9 and 12 October 2015

During a routine inspection

This inspection took place on 9 and 12 October and was unannounced. Tewkesbury View Care Home can provide accommodation and personal care for up to six adults with a learning disability, autism spectrum condition and/or physical disability. Four people were living at the home when we visited and they had a range of support needs including help with communication, personal care, moving about and support if they became confused or anxious. Staff support was provided at the home at all times and people required the support of one or more staff when away from the home.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found one breach of our regulations. There were detailed health and care records in place for people but some important information was either missing or had not been updated in some records. This increased the risk that people might not receive care that met their needs and preferences.

People were supported by a caring and dedicated staff team who knew them well and treated them as individuals. Staff worked hard to understand what was important to people and to meet their needs despite the difficulties some people had communicating. Staff were patient and respectful of people’s unique preferences.

Staff supported people to take part in activities they knew matched the person’s individual preferences and interests. People were encouraged to make choices and to do things for themselves as far as possible. In order to achieve this, a balance was struck between keeping people safe and supporting them to take risks and develop their independence.

Some people had complex health needs and these were met by staff who worked closely with health and social care professionals. Staff understood when they needed guidance from professionals and followed their advice.

Staff felt well supported and had the training they needed to provide personalised support to each person. Staff met with their line manager to discuss their development needs and action was taken when concerns were raised. Staff understood what they needed to do if they had concerns about the way a person was being treated. Staff were prepared to challenge and address poor care to keep people safe and happy.

The provider had established a clear set of values for the service that staff understood and followed. Senior staff sought feedback from people, relatives and healthcare professionals on the quality of the service and took action to address any problems. Learning took place following any incidents to prevent them happening again.

23 January 2014

During a routine inspection

When we visited five people were living in the home. We spoke with three people using the service, one relative and four staff. We also made our own observations during the visit.

People who use the service told us they were happy with the service they received. People felt the staff helped them to meet their needs. One person said "I like it here' whilst a relative said 'staff are very good.'

People told us that staff treated them with respect. One person said 'we're a partnership.' We saw staff speaking and responding to people in a kind and respectful manner. Staff made people feel included in making decisions about their daily lives.

The care records showed us that people's health needs had been regularly assessed. These records included information from health and social care professionals which helped ensure people got the care and treatment they needed. People in this home had their dietary needs considered and meet by the staff.

Staffing records showed there were sufficient staff to support the needs of the people in the home. Staff had been checked to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. The home trained their staff and had procedures which protected people from abuse. People did not appear to have any complaints. One person told us they would speak to the manager if they had any concerns. One person said 'I would tell the manager.'

The evidence we collected showed us the service kept people safe and met their care needs.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

There was an additional staff member on duty each morning of the week, and an extra 3.6 fulltime equivalent staff had been recruited. The manager told us they would confirm staffing levels met people's needs and that bank or agency staff used will be identified on the rotas.

Care staff at the home confirmed that there was always three staff each morning, which met people's needs in a timely manner. They also told us that since the recruitment of additional staff bank and agency staff were rarely used.

14 November 2012

During a routine inspection

When we visited the service we spoke to the six people accommodated, two care staff and the registered manager. Three people we spoke to were able to confirm that they liked living in the home. We observed that people were relaxed, smiling and content with what they were doing. One person was colouring a picture in, another person was preparing their own brunch and one person was in the heated summer house listening to music. People were also watching television and helping with household chores.

People did not have the capacity to consent but the correct procedures had been followed to ensure that their best interests had been taken into consideration by families and health and social care professionals. Care plans had recorded what people wanted to achieve and there was pictorial evidence of their activities.

We found that the service had not always employed sufficient staff to ensure that people's needs were met in a timely manner and some were waiting for their breakfast late in the morning.

1 February 2012

During a routine inspection

The residents at Tewkesbury View experience care that is personalised and attentive to their needs. They are involved in making choices about their lives and treated with dignity and respect. One resident said "its good here. Staff are nice to us". Residents' needs are met by competent staff who are supported and receive appropriate training. We saw a compliments book where professionals and family members had chosen to write comments. A GP had commented on one resident 'receiving excellent care at Tewkesbury View'. A relative had said 'how brilliant all the staff are. I couldn't be more pleased with how (my relative) has settled in." Tewkesbury View is responsive to family and residents' views.