Archived: Upfield

Updated 8 August 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 checked 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.

The inspection took place on 20 June 2017 and was unannounced. This was a comprehensive inspection carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed the evidence we had about the service. This included any notifications of significant events, such as serious injuries or safeguarding referrals. Notifications are information about important events which the registered manager is required to send us by law. The registered manager had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered manager to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

People were unable to express themselves verbally, on the day of the inspection we observed the care they received and the interactions they had with staff. We spoke with the manager of a different service and two members of staff. We looked at the care records for two people. We looked at how medicines were managed and the records relating to this. We looked at records relating to staff, including recruitment and training. We reviewed four weeks of duty rotas, some health and safety records and quality assurance records. We also looked at a range of the service policy documents. We asked the registered manager to send us some additional information following our visit, which they did. We spoke with the registered manager after the inspection.

After the inspection we received feedback from two relatives.

Updated 8 August 2017

Upfield is a residential home which provides care and accommodation for up to six adults with learning disabilities including autism. On the day of our inspection six people were living in the home. People had varied communication needs and abilities. Some people were able to express themselves verbally; others used body language to communicate their needs. Some of the people needed more support as they could become distressed and anxious.

There was a registered manager in place. 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. The registered manager and the provider was the same person. The registered manager was not present on the day of the inspection as she was supporting people on holiday. Instead we were supported by a manger from another of the Providers service

At the last inspection on 15 May 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good

People were safe because staff understood risks involved in people’s care and took action to minimise these risks. There were sufficient staff on duty to ensure that people received the care they needed and to keep people safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in keeping people safe and protecting them from harm and abuse. The registered manager carried out appropriate pre-employment checks before staff started work.

Medicines were managed, stored and administered safely. Accidents and incidents were recorded and reviewed with a plan in place to minimise the risk of them occurring again.

People’s care was provided by regular staff that knew their needs well and provided support in a consistent way. Staff had access to the induction, training and support they needed to do their jobs. People’s choices and views were respected. Care was provided in the least restrictive way to people.

People were supported to eat food they enjoyed and were encouraged to maintain a healthy diet. Staff were aware of dietary restrictions involved in people’s care. People’s health and well being were managed as they had access to the appropriate health and social care professionals. People who had on-going conditions were supported to see specialist healthcare professionals regularly.

People enjoyed living at the home and had developed positive relationships with staff. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their privacy and dignity. People were supported to maintain relationships with their friends and families and were able to invite guests whenever they wished. People were encouraged to be independent and were supported by staff to learn and develop new skills.

People and their relatives were encouraged to give their views about the service they received and the registered manager responded positively to feedback. People had access to activities they enjoyed and had opportunities to enjoy an active social life. People were involved in their local community.

The registered manager provided good leadership for the service. They were experienced in their role and communicated well with people, relatives and staff. Staff felt valued and had access to support and advice from the registered manager if they needed it. Staff shared important information about people’s needs effectively. Team meetings were used to ensure staff provided consistent care that reflected good practice.

The registered manager’s quality monitoring checks ensured people received safe and effective care and support. Staff worked co-operatively with other professionals to ensure people received the care and treatment they needed. Records were well organised and up to date.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.