The Spinnies

Updated 9 August 2018

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.

This comprehensive inspection took place on the 21 June 2018 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

The inspection was informed by information we held about the service. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This also included statutory notifications the provider had sent us. A statutory notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to send to us by law. We also considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies. We also contacted commissioners who had a contract with the service for their feedback.

During the inspection, we were unable to speak with people to gain their views about the service due to their communication needs. However, we spent time in the company of people and used observations of how staff engaged with people to help us understand people’s experience.

We spoke with the registered manager, two regional operational managers, three support workers and a visiting music therapist. We looked at the care records of two people who used the service. We checked that the care they received matched the information in their records. We also looked at a range of information to consider how the home ensured the quality of the service; these included the management of medicines, staff training records, staff recruitment and support, audits and checks on the safety of the environment, policies and procedures, complaints and meeting records. We also reviewed the services current improvement plan.

After the inspection, we received feedback from a person’s relative and an external professional.

Updated 9 August 2018

We inspected the service on 21 June 2018. The inspection was unannounced..

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 Spinnies accommodates up to four people with a learning disability and or autism. On the day of our inspection, two people were using the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

At the last inspection in June 2016, the service was rated ‘Good’ in all the key questions. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were supported to remain safe and staff were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from abuse avoidable harm. People were supported with positive risk taking and risks were managed effectively. There were sufficient staff available to support people safely and safe staff recruitment processes were in place and followed. People’s medicines were managed by staff who had received appropriate training and competency assessments. People were protected from risks associated with cross contamination. Infection control measures were being used and understood by staff.

The provider used national guidance and tools to assess people’s needs. Staff received an induction, ongoing training and support to ensure they were competent in meeting people’s needs. People received a choice of meals and drinks and had access to snacks. Nutritional needs were assessed and monitored. The environment met people’s individual needs.

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 service support this practice. Staff were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People were supported by staff who were caring and compassionate who knew their needs, preferences and what was important to them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity, encouraged people with choice making, and promoted independence. Independent advocacy information was available. Relatives and external professionals were involved in meetings to discuss and agree how care and support was provided.

People’s needs and routines had been assessed and support plans provided staff with clear detailed information of how to support people. Staff had a person centred approach in how they supported people and enabled them to lead active and fulfilling lives.

Relatives and staff were positive about the management team, who were appropriately experienced, competent and good leaders. Systems and processes were in place to monitor quality and safety and these were up to date. The provider had an ongoing action plan that showed how the service was continually improving.