Background to this inspection
Updated
30 December 2020
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.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 14 December 2020 and was announced.
Updated
30 December 2020
About the service
20 Newlands Close is a residential care home providing personal care for up to seven people with learning disabilities. At the time of inspection, seven people were living there.
20 Newlands Close is a bungalow. There were spacious bedrooms, some with en-suite facilities. There was also a large garden which people used throughout the inspection.
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
The service applied 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.
People told us they felt safe living at 20 Newlands Close. Any risks to their wellbeing had been identified and actions taken to reduce ill health or incidents occurring. Staff were aware of these risks and monitored them closely. People received their medicines safely from trained and competent staff. The environment was kept clean and safe with regular checks from staff and professionals. Staff were recruited safely and there were always enough to meet the needs of people.
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.
People told us, “Staff know me well” and, “They know everything.” Staff attended a variety of training courses tailored to meet people’s needs. This gave staff the skills and knowledge to support people with their health and social wellbeing. Staff said that induction was robust and further support was provided in supervisions with management. People’s needs were continuously reviewed with involvement from health and social care professionals. People’s nutritional and hydration needs were met and healthy eating was promoted.
People, their relatives and relatives told us that staff were kind, genuinely caring and respectful of people. One relative said, “My relative is so happy there. Staff are caring and lovely and they look after them brilliantly.” The atmosphere in the home was positive and friendly. Staff and people joked with one another and appeared to enjoy each other’s company. A staff member said, “I really like it here. I go home with job satisfaction. People have such happy lives and I love being a part of that.” People’s privacy, dignity and independence was always promoted. Their choices and preferences were respected by staff.
People’s care was personalised to their wants and wishes and regularly reviewed with them and their loved ones. People enjoyed activities they did with staff and shared photographs and artwork with us. Activities were centred around people’s interests and involved building relationships with the community. People and their relatives told us they had never had to complain but they knew who to speak to if they had any concerns. Although no-one was receiving end of life care, the registered manager and deputy manager had started a project to develop people’s knowledge of end of life and gain their wishes for future care.
People were complimentary of the registered manager and deputy manager. They described them as, “Lovely” and, “Wonderful” and were happy to see them. Relatives, staff and professionals also spoke positively about the management team. One staff member said, “They help me do my job better. I can’t fault either of them.” The registered manager had good oversight of the service and valued feedback given. They were passionate about improving the lives of people and working in partnership with others to achieve good outcomes.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was Good (published October 2016).
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.