EVHM LLP - 6 High Beech Close

Updated 26 February 2022

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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 11 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 48 notice of the inspection.

Updated 26 February 2022

East View Housing Management Limited 6 High Beech Close is a care home providing social and residential care for up to four people with learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection there were four people living in the home. People had varied needs related to their learning disabilities. Some had more specialist needs associated with Asperger’s syndrome and epilepsy. 6 High Beech is a two storey property with bedrooms located on the first floor. The provider runs a number of care homes locally and is also a national provider of care.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and 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.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

There were enough staff who had been appropriately recruited, to meet people’s needs. People told us they felt safe. Staff had a good understanding of the risks associated with supporting people. They knew what actions to take to mitigate these risks and provide a safe environment for people to live. Staff understood what they needed to do to protect people from the risk of abuse. Incidents and accidents were well managed. People’s medicines were managed safely.

People’s needs were effectively met because staff attended regular training to update their knowledge and skills. Staff attended regular supervision meetings and told us they were very well supported by the management of the home. People were encouraged to make decisions and choices. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The MCA and DoLS are regulations that have to be followed to ensure people who cannot make decisions for themselves are protected. They also ensured people were not having their freedom restricted or deprived unnecessarily.

People were treated with dignity and respect by kind and caring staff. Staff had a good understanding of the care and support needs of people and had developed positive relationships with them. People were supported to attend health appointments, such as the GP or dentist. People had enough to eat and drink and menus were varied and well balanced. People’s meals were served in a way that respected their specific needs.

Staff had a very good understanding of people as individuals, their needs and interests. People were supported to take part in a range of activities to meet their individual needs and wishes. All attended day centres for varying numbers of days each week and one person had a work placement. Activities were also arranged at home, for example arts and crafts and pamper sessions. People told us they enjoyed having meals out, theatre trips and holidays. People also told us they enjoyed visiting their friends and inviting friends and their family members to their house.

The environment was clean and well maintained. The provider had ensured safety checks had been carried out and all equipment had been serviced. Fire safety checks were all up to date.

The provider had good systems to monitor the management and quality of the home. Through regular internal monitoring the registered manager ensured a range of audits were carried out to monitor the care and support provided. Where shortfalls had been identified they were addressed in a timely manner. Feedback was regularly sought from people, relatives and staff. People were encouraged to share their views on a daily basis. People and relatives were given information on how to make a complaint and said they would be comfortable raising a concern or complaint if they needed to.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.