Neave Crescent

Updated 3 April 2020

The inspection

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Neave Crescent is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, a senior support worker and three support workers. We also spoke with a visiting professional.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We spoke with three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and medicines audits.

Updated 3 April 2020

About the service

Neave Crescent is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to ten people with learning and physical disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were seven people living at the service receiving care.

The service comprised of two adjoining purpose-built bungalows. The service is larger than recommended by best practice guidance. However, we have rated this service good because the provider arranged the service in a way that ensured people received person-centred care and were supported to maximise their independence, choice, control and involvement in the community. The size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

The service applied the principles and values 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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew what to do if they suspected abuse. People were risk assessed to monitor and mitigate risks to them. Regular health and safety checks were completed to ensure the property was safe for people. Relatives told us and records confirmed there were enough staff working. Staff were recruited safely. Medicines were safely managed. Staff understood infection control and relatives told us the service was clean. Incident and accidents were recorded, and lessons learned when things went wrong.

People’s needs were assessed to ensure the service could meet their needs. Staff received inductions to ready them in their new roles. Staff were trained to do their jobs and were supervised by the management team at the service. People were supported with their nutrition and hydration and the service followed instructions from dieticians where required. Staff communicated with other agencies to support people. People were supported with their health care needs. People were able to decorate their rooms how they pleased. 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 treated well by staff and the service had received numerous compliments. Staff were trained in equality and diversity and the service supported people’s human rights. People and their relatives were involved in decisions about their care. People’s independence was promoted and their dignity and privacy respected.

People’s care plans recorded their needs and preferences, and these were reviewed regularly. Staff knew how to communicate with people. People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed including going on holiday. Relatives knew how to make complaints and when this happened the registered manager responded appropriately. People’s end of life wishes were recorded.

People, relatives and staff thought the service was well managed. Staff knew their roles and responsibilities. The registered manager was supported in their role. People, relatives and staff were engaged and involved in the service and staff had received positive feedback from stakeholders. The service worked in partnership with other agencies. Quality assurance processes at service ensured people received a good standard of care and the service sought to improve where shortfalls were found.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 20 September 2017.)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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