Background to this inspection
Updated
30 March 2022
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.
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
Two inspectors carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
Rochester House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during the 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
This inspection was unannounced
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought and received feedback from one social care professional who worked with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We communicated with four people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. Some people who used the service communicated with us using different methods including gestures, body language, words and Makaton.
We spoke with six members of staff including the deputy manager and the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and two medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
30 March 2022
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.
About the service
Rochester House is a care home providing personal care for up to 10 people who have a learning disability, and/or autistic people. At the time of inspection 9 people lived at the service who received support.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
The service supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence over their own lives. People were supported by staff to pursue their interests. One person wanted to volunteer in a charity shop for a day, so the service supported the individual to fulfil this goal.
People had choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms. People benefited from the interactive and stimulating environment. The service made reasonable adjustments for people so they could be fully involved in discussion about how they received support, including travel wherever they needed to go.
Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision making. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their needs. One person used Makaton to communicate with staff. We observed staff communicating in Makaton and they were able to understand what the person needed.
Right Care
Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked will with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse, and they knew how to apply it.
The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. People who had individual ways of communicating, using body language, sounds, Makaton or pictures and symbols could interact comfortably with staff and others involved in their care and support because staff had the necessary skills to understand them.
People could take part in activities and pursue interests that were tailored to them. The service gave people opportunities to try new activities that enhanced and enriched their lives. The service supports someone to take part in horse riding which they enjoy doing. Another person was able to go and see a theatre show that they had an interest in and when COVID19 prevented them from going again, the service brought the theatre show into the home by using videos.
Right culture
People received good quality care and support because trained staff could meet their needs and wishes. People were supported by staff who understood best practise in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received passionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs. Staff understood people’s individual needs, we observed staff supporting people when their body language suggested they were unhappy.
People and those important to them were involved in planning their care. Staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection due to concerns raised regarding the environment and the managing of peoples’ specific risks. On inspection we assess if the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.
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.