280-282 Wells Road

Updated 9 March 2021

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 04 December 2020 and was announced.

Updated 9 March 2021

About the service

The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people living with a learning disability and or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the 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 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

Staffing levels provided, did not ensure people’s dependency needs were continuously met; this was particularly at weekends. Where people had additional needs and required one to one staff support, we were not sufficiently assured this was being provided. Staff had not received training in learning disability and autism awareness, despite the registered manager assuring us at the last inspection this would be provided. Inconsistencies were also identified in record keeping. National best practice guidance in the management of medicines were not always followed.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place to ensure only staff suitable to care for people were employed. Risks associated with people needs had been assessed and planned for.

The internal and external environment was clean, well maintained and met people's individual needs and choices.

Staff were knowledgeable about people's needs and what was important to them and were described by people and relatives as being kind and caring. 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 were involved in day to day choices.

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 were active citizens of their local community and received opportunities to pursue their interests and hobbies.

People’s individual communication needs had been assessed and staff used effective communication and listening skills and provided information in easy read to support people. People's end of life wishes had been discussed with them and plans reflected their end of life care wishes.

Systems and processes were in place to monitor, analyse and manage complaints, however, no complaints had been received since our last inspection. Whilst staff were clear about their role and responsibilities, accountability needed to be improved upon.

Audits and checks were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. People received opportunities to give feedback about the service they received. The provider and registered manager had met their registration regulatory requirements.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 10 February 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe, effective and well-led sections of this full report. We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk