Archived: The Gables

Updated 18 October 2017

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, to look at the overall quality of the service and provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Before we visited the home we checked the information we held about the service and the service provider including notifications and incidents affecting the safety and well-being of people. No concerns had been raised.

There were twelve people using the service. All the people had learning disabilities and could not always communicate with us and tell us what they thought about the service. Because of this, we spent time at the home observing the experience of the people and their care, how the staff interacted with people and how they supported people during the day.

We spoke with four relatives and an advocate. We also spoke with three care workers, the assistant team leader and the registered manager. We reviewed four people’s care plans, five staff files, training records and records relating to the management of the service such as audits, policies and procedures.

Updated 18 October 2017

We undertook an unannounced inspection on 7 September 2017 of The Gables. The Gables provides accommodation and personal care for up to 16 people with learning disability, autism and physical disability. At the time of this inspection, the service was providing care and support to twelve people.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

At the last inspection on 14 May 2015 the service was rated Good.

The premises were clean and tidy. There was a record of essential maintenance carried out at the home. Bedrooms had been personalised with people's belongings to assist people to feel at home. However, the water temperatures of three hand basins in people’s bedrooms had reached temperatures above the recommended safe water temperatures. The registered manager took prompt action during and after the inspection to fix the issue.

People's health and social care needs had been appropriately assessed. Care plans were person-centred, and specific to each person and their needs. Care preferences were documented and staff we spoke with were aware of people's likes and dislikes. Care plans were reviewed and were updated when people's needs changed.

Relatives informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. Relatives also told us that they were confident that people were safe in the home.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect people from the risk of harm. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse.

Arrangements were in place for the recording of medicines received into the home and for their storage, administration and disposal. Some gaps in medicines records were identified however these were resolved promptly.

Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with induction and training to enable them to support people effectively. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from management.

Staff we spoke with had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005). Capacity to make specific decisions was recorded in people's care plans.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The home had made necessary applications for DoLS as it was recognised that there were areas of the person’s care in which the person’s liberties were being deprived. Records showed that the relevant authorisations had been granted and were in place.

There were suitable arrangements for the provision of food to ensure that people's dietary needs were met.

Staff were informed of changes occurring within the home through daily handovers and staff meetings. Staff told us that they received up to date information and had an opportunity to share good practice and any concerns they had at these meetings.

There was a management structure in place with a team of care workers, assistant team leader, the registered manager and provider. Staff spoke positively about working at the home. They told us management were approachable and the service had an open and transparent culture. There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.