Background to this inspection
Updated
31 October 2018
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 to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 20 September 2018, and was unannounced. It was carried out by one adult social care inspector.
Prior to the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form which gives key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We also looked at the notifications we had received from the service. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send us within required timescales. We reviewed other information to help inform us about the level of risk for this service. We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.
People living at the service were unable to communicate verbally. After the inspection we contacted two people’s relatives by telephone to seek their views about the service. We also contacted three health and social care professionals after the inspection. During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and three members of staff.
We looked at the care records and medicines administration records for everyone living at the service. We reviewed the files of four members of staff, and examined staff training records. We also looked at a range of records and documents including meeting minutes, policies, audits and environmental reports.
Updated
31 October 2018
We undertook an unannounced inspection of Dimensions Broomfield on 20 September 2018. The last inspection of the service was carried out on 21 October 2017. At that time, we identified one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations, and one breach of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009. These breaches concerned the recording of necessary checks, and notification of incidents.
Following the inspection, the provider sent us an action plan in January 2018. This described what they were planning to do to comply with the regulations and to improve in specific areas. At this inspection, we reviewed the actions the service had taken to meet the regulations. We found that the necessary improvements had been made.
Dimensions Broomfield is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Dimensions Broomfield can accommodate three people in one adapted bungalow. At the time of our inspection, three people were living there. Broomfield had three bedrooms with shared bathroom facilities and communal living areas which were accessible to all. This included a living room, kitchen and dining room, as well as a garden. There was also office space and staff sleep-in facilities.
The service worked 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.
A registered manager was in post at the time of our 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.
Effective recruitment procedures were followed to ensure prospective staff were suitable to work in this service. Sufficient staff were employed, and they received training in a range of subjects to make sure people received safe and effective care.
Staff knew how to keep people safe from potential abuse and harm. Systems and processes were in place to help keep people safe.
Medicines were administered to people as prescribed and checks were in place to ensure this was done safely. Staff received training and their skills and abilities in this area were checked.
Policies, procedures and checks were in place to manage health and safety. This included the reporting of incidents and accidents, as well as regular equipment checks and maintenance.
Staff knew people's needs and preferences, and were compassionate and caring. People were comfortable around staff, and relatives told us that staff were patient and supportive.
People were enabled to make choices where possible, for example with food. We saw staff supporting people to eat and drink, and people had a balanced diet.
Staff contacted healthcare professionals promptly when there were concerns about a person’s health, as well as for routine checks and monitoring.
Relatives told us that they were consulted and informed about people’s care. Records were clear and reflected people's needs and preferences.
People had access to a complaints procedure and they were confident any concerns would be acted upon.