Archived: Burton Cottages

Updated 18 November 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.

We inspected Burton Cottages on 26 September 2016. This was an unannounced inspection. Two inspectors carried out the inspection. This service was previously inspected on 24 September 2014 where we found it to be compliant with all areas inspected.

Prior to the inspection, we gathered and reviewed information we held about the service. This included notifications from the service and information shared with us by the local authority. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). 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.

During inspection, we spoke to six relatives, five care staff and the registered manager. As most people living at Burton Cottages were unable to communicate verbally with us, we observed care delivery throughout our inspection. We looked in detail at care plans and examined records that related to the running of the service. We looked at six care plans and three staff files, staff training records and quality assurance documentation to support our findings.

Updated 18 November 2016

We inspected Burton Cottages on 26 September 2016. Burton Cottages provide care and support for up to 10 people. Accommodation is provided from a building which was purpose built as a care facility for people with learning disabilities. The building is located within a residential area. There were 10 people living at Burton Cottages at the time of the inspection. Most people living at Burton Cottages were unable to communicate verbally.

This service was previously inspected on 24 September 2014 where we found it to be compliant with all areas inspected.

The service had 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff had good knowledge of safeguarding adults and knew what actions to take if they suspected abuse was taking place. The provider had ensured that appropriate employment checks had taken place to ensure that staff were safe to work with people at the home. There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe. The provider gave staff appropriate training to meet the needs of people. Staff received supervisions and appraisals from the registered manager.

Medicines were stored securely and safely administered by staff who had received appropriate training to do so. Stock counts of medicine that was to be taken as needed did not match what had been recorded. However, people’s medicine records did reflect when these medicines were taken. We have made a recommendation about this in our report.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) were applied. People were being assessed

appropriately and best interests meetings took place to identify least restrictive methods. Staff had received training on MCA and had good knowledge. The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Appropriate applications to restrict people's freedom had been submitted and the least restrictive options were considered as per the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People's needs had been assessed and detailed care plans developed. Care plans contained risk

assessments for daily living needs that were personalised for the people staff supported. People were given options on what they would like to eat and those that required support to eat were supported.

People were being referred to health professionals when needed. People’s records showed that appropriate referrals were being made to GP’s, speech and language therapists, dentists and chiropodists.

Relatives spoke positively about staff. Staff communicated with people in ways that were understood when providing support. People’s private information was stored securely and discussions about people’s personal needs took place in a private area where it could not be overheard. People were free to choose how they lived their lives. People could choose what activities they took part in and would decorate their bedrooms according to their own tastes.

The provider had ensured that there were effective processes in place to fully investigate any complaints. Records showed that outcomes of the investigations were communicated to relevant people. People and their relatives were encouraged to give feedback through resident meetings and yearly surveys. The provider had ensured that there were quality-monitoring systems in place to identify shortfalls and the registered manager acted on these appropriately.

Relatives and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. The registered manager had an open door policy that was used by staff. The registered manager was approachable and supportive and took an active role in the day-to-day running of the service. Staff were able to discuss concerns with the registered manager at any time and had confidence appropriate action would be taken. The registered manager was open, transparent and responded positively to any concerns or suggestions made about the service. The registered manager was informing the CQC of all notifiable events detailed in the regulations.