We carried out a review of the data available to us about Redcliffe House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Redcliffe House, you can give feedback on this service.
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 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.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 8 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People lived in a care home that was safe and clean. Staff understood how to keep people safe from the risk of abuse; and knew how to raise any concerns with the appropriate authorities. Regular health and safety checks were carried out and the registered manager told us they would replace a shower we found to exceed safe hot water temperatures. Enough staff were employed to meet people’s needs, and the administration of people’s prescribed medicine was carried out safely.
People’s rights under the mental capacity act were respected. Some people were not at liberty to leave the care home without being supported by staff, and those restrictions had been authorised by the relevant authorities. However, some of those authorisations had been given on the basis that the care home could only be exited via key coded external doors, when that was not always the case. Staff received the necessary training and provided support that met people’s needs. The building had been adapted to meet people’s care needs and they were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their nutritional needs. Staff supported people to access healthcare services when needed.
People were well supported by compassionate staff who understood their needs, respected their privacy and maintained their dignity. People were supported to increase their skills and to express their views on the service they received.
People were supported to engage in meaningful activities which they chose. Care plans were detailed and guided staff on how to support people effectively. Staff supported people to maintain contacts with friends and family; and supported them to engage in activities within the local community.
People were supported to achieve outcomes which were important to them. The registered manager understood their responsibility to keep people safe and to be open and honest when things went wrong. Care staff understood their roles in providing the support that people needed. The care team worked in partnership with other agencies to continuously improve the quality of the service and to ensure people received the support they needed.
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.
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.
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 website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 28 April 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.
Redcliffe House provides accommodation and personal care for up to eight people living with learning disabilities and an autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of our inspection eight people were living at the service.
A registered manager was in post and was available throughout the inspection. 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 were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from avoidable harm. Staff had received adult safeguarding training and had information available of the action required to respond to any safeguarding concerns. The management team had taken appropriate action when safeguarding incidents had occurred to reduce further risks.
Risks associated to people’s needs had been assessed and planned for and were regularly reviewed. People were not unduly restricted and positive risk taking was planned and managed well. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored and action was taken to reduce further reoccurrence.
There were sufficient and experienced staff available to meet people’s needs and safety and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s individual needs. Safe staff recruitment practices were in place and followed.
People received their prescribed medicines appropriately and these were managed and stored in line with best practice guidance.
Staff received an induction and ongoing training and support. The registered manager had a post graduate qualification in autism and had developed additional learning resources to support and develop staff’s understanding and awareness.
The registered manager applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), so that people’s rights were protected. People were involved as fully as possible in decisions and asked for their consent before care and support was provided and this was respected.
People were involved in the development of a weekly menu. Their preferences and needs were known and choices and independence was promoted. Staff supported and encouraged people with health eating.
People's healthcare needs had been assessed and were regularly monitored. The staff worked with healthcare professionals to ensure they provided an effective and responsive service.
Staff were kind, caring and respectful towards the people they supported. They had a person centred approach and a clear understanding of people's individual needs, routines and what was important to them.
People were involved as fully as possible in their care and support. Regular meetings were had with people to discuss their care and support and the activities they wanted to participate in. This included an annual holiday of their choice. People had information to inform them of independent advocacy services and had been supported to access these services were required.
People were supported to participate in activities, interests and hobbies of their choice. Staff had been creative and had used innovative approaches to support people with their dreams and aspirations. Staff promoted people’s independence and people were active citizens of their local community. New opportunities had recently been introduced for people to develop their social and friendship circle.
The provider enabled people who used the service and their relatives to voice their views and
opinions. The registered manager listened to what people had to say and took action to resolve any issues.
The provider had checks in place that monitored the quality and safety of the service. These included daily, weekly and monthly audits. In addition the provider had further systems in place that provided additional monitoring to ensure the service was continuously developing and improving. The service had been successful in achieving the National Autistic Society Autism Accreditation.