Background to this inspection
Updated
18 December 2019
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.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
MCA Care Homes is a ‘care home’. 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 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 the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five members of staff including the director, registered manager and three support workers. The person who used the service was out of the service most of the day we inspected. When they returned we spoke with their relative and briefly observed their interactions with staff and the registered manager. Due to their cognitive impairment, they were unable to provide any feedback to us.
We also spoke by telephone to an additional three relatives of people who use the service as respite on a regular basis.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, one of whom was the care plan of a person who used the service regularly on a respite basis. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
18 December 2019
About the service
MCA Care Homes is a residential care home providing personal care and support for up to three people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection one person was using the service. The service is also used by a few people on a regular respite basis.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Relatives spoke positively or the caring and person-centred nature of the service. They told us people liked staying at MCA Care Homes.
Risks associated with people’s health and care needs had been assessed and guidance provided to care staff on how minimise risks to keep people safe from harm.
There was enough staff available to support people safely. Recruitment processes enabled the provider to only recruit those staff assessed as safe to work with vulnerable adults.
The person using the service at the time of inspection did not require support with medicines. However, procedures were in place if people needed support with medicines.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Care plans were detailed and listed people’s support needs and how staff were to support people with their identified needs.
Management oversight processes in place enabled the service and the provider to monitor, and where required, improve the quality of care people received.
The service applied the principles and values the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 26 May 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.