Pendragon

Updated 21 July 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector

Pendragon is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. We needed to make sure relevant staff were available and records were accessible.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since their registration. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We met the person living at the service. The person was not able to fully share their experience of living at Pendragon, therefore we spent time observing staff with the person and talking with staff about how they supported the person. We spoke with the registered manager and two staff members who were present during the inspection visit. We spoke with the behavioural analyst who supports the service.

We reviewed the person’s care and medication records. We looked at staff records in relation to recruitment, training and supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service and quality monitoring systems.

We spoke with one relative about their experience of the service.

Updated 21 July 2022

Pendragon is a residential care home providing personal care to up to one person who has a learning disability and autistic people. At the time of our inspection there was one person using the service. The service is part of the Green Light group which run several similar services throughout Cornwall, for autistic people.

The service is situated in Newquay with access to the local community. Pendragon is a terraced house with its own garden. It opened in November 2021 to support this person and this is the first inspection of the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting underpinning principles of “Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture.

Right support

The model of care and setting maximised the person’s choice, control and independence. The service was in Newquay and there was good access to the local community and amenities.

The service was staffed by a small staff team who know the person well. Staff supported the person to make choices about their daily lives and engage in activities, that were tailored to their individual needs and promoted their independence. The person was supported to maintain and develop relationships

The person was 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.

Staff were recruited safely. The staff team had the appropriate levels of knowledge and skills to support the person and responded to their individual needs and choices. Staff were supported by a system of induction, training, supervisions, appraisals and staff meetings.

People received their medicines in a safe way and were protected from abuse and neglect. The persons care plans and risk assessments were clear and up to date.

Right care:

The person received good quality person-centred care that promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. Staff were observed talking to the person in dignified and respectful way.

There was a strong person-centred culture within the staff team. Positive behaviour support plans had been developed for the person, to help staff understand the reasons for their behaviour, and provide guidance to ensure consistent approaches were used when supporting them. Staff knew the person well and demonstrated an understanding of their individual care, behavioural and communication needs. This helped ensure the person’s views were heard and their diverse needs met.

Right culture:

The ethos, values, and attitudes of management and care staff ensured the person led confident, inclusive and empowered life. Staff created an environment that inspired the person to understand and achieve their goals and ambitions.

The person led a life that reflected their personality and preferences because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff.

The person's relative and staff told us management were approachable and they listened to them when they had any concerns or ideas. All feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.

Cleaning and infection control procedures had been updated in line with COVID-19 guidance to help protect people, visitors and staff from the risk of infection. Government guidance about COVID-19 testing for people, staff and visitors was being followed.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 12 July 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of right support right care right culture.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.