Archived: Shernbroke Hostel

Updated 20 September 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 2 August 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service, which included safeguarding alerts and statutory notifications, which related to the service.

Statutory notifications include information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law. We focused on speaking with people who lived at the service, speaking with staff and observing how people were cared for. Some people had very complex needs and were not able, or chose not to talk to us. We used observation as our main tool to gather evidence of people's experiences of the service.

We spent time observing care in communal areas and used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with two people who lived in the service. We also spoke with six staff members including the registered home manager and three relatives.

We looked at four people's care records, three staff recruitment records, we also reviewed records about how the service was managed. These included medicine records, staff training, recruitment and supervision records, accidents, incidents, complaints, quality audits and policies and procedures. Reviewing these records helped us understand how the provider responded and acted on issues related to the care and welfare of people, and monitored the quality of the service

Updated 20 September 2016

Shernbroke Hostel is a home for people who have a learning disability. There are five houses, which make up the home, each of which accommodates and supports up to five people. The home accommodates a maximum of 25 people in total. There was only nine people using the service on the day of our visit.

There is a registered manager at Shernbroke Hostel. 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.

We found that care was provided by a staff group in an environment, which was friendly and relaxed. Staff knew people well and positive caring relationships had been developed.

Staff had received training in regard to how to protect people using the service from abuse or harm. Staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about the types of potential abuse people may be exposed to and understood how to report any concerns. Records showed, that all staff had received the expected level of training required to ensure competence in their role.

The service had a robust recruitment process in place and we found staff had received appropriate induction, supervision, appraisal and training, which allowed them to fulfil their roles effectively.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty and staffing levels were adjusted to meet people's changing needs and wishes.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Appropriate mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had been undertaken by the service and relevant professionals. This ensured that the decision was taken in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, DoLS and associated Codes of Practice. The Act, Safeguards and Codes of Practice are in place to protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there is a need for restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed and decided by appropriately trained professionals. Some people at the service were subject to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff had been trained and had a good understanding of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and to maintain a healthy diet. They also had access to healthcare professionals as and when required.

Care files provided comprehensive information about people in a person-centred way. People’s personal histories had been recorded and their likes and dislikes were documented so that staff knew how people liked to be supported.

Complaints were dealt with in line with the provider’s policy and relatives told us that they could raise their opinions and discuss any issues with the registered manager or any other staff member who was on duty.

Relatives told us they were happy with the care and support their family member received and believed it was a safe environment. People had their own bedrooms, which they could personalise as they wished. Staff supported people to access the local community and take part in a range of activities of their choice.

There were effective quality assurance systems in place to make sure that any areas for improvement were identified and addressed. Management were visible in the service and regularly checked if people were happy and safe living at Shernbroke.