Stubble Bank

Updated 6 October 2022

The inspection

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 two inspectors, a specialist advisor in mental health, and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Stubble Bank is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us.

Registered Manager

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 24 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.

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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, regional manager, and six support staff. We spoke with two people receiving support and two relatives. We reviewed two people's care records.

We reviewed records and audits relating to the management of the service. We asked the deputy manager to send us documents before and after the on-site inspection. These were provided in a timely manner and this evidence was included as part of our inspection.

Updated 6 October 2022

About the service

Stubble Bank is a care home and specialist residential mental health service, which provides treatment and rehabilitation to up to six young people aged between 16 and 30 years. The service is based in a large house in a residential area of North Bury. At the time of our inspection, the service supported five people.

The service supports young people who have a diagnosis of complex or enduring mental health difficulties, and who may have spent a lot of time in hospital or secure settings. The service provides a psychologically informed therapeutic environment in which young people can receive the appropriate therapy to help them recover and reintegrate back into society.

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

We have made recommendations about the safe storage of medicines.

Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding processes. Risk assessments were robust and relevant. Staff were recruited safely. Medicines were managed safely. Systems were in place to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Accidents and incidents were reported and analysed in a timely manner.

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.

The provider was well organised, and the registered manager had a clear vision for the service. Managers were open and honest in their approach to supporting people. The provider had clearly defined roles and managers and staff were clear about their responsibilities. People were given the opportunity to regularly give feedback to improve service provision. The provider had clear audit processes to ensure good quality care.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 16 September 2021).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident. This inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about the management of very high-risk behaviours. This inspection examined those risks.

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.

Recommendations

We have made recommendations about the safe management of some medicines.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.