179 Green Lane

Updated 5 April 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 Care Act 2014.

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

179 Green Lane 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

We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the management team would be available to support the inspection when we visited.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with us. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with two members of staff and the registered manager. Where people had limited verbal communication, we observed their interactions with support staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included care records for 3 people and staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including incident forms, medicines records and safeguarding procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found in relation to people's care plans, staff training and quality assurance processes.

Updated 5 April 2022

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.

About the service

179 Green Lane is a care home providing personal care for up to 5 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 4 people using the service. The service supported autistic people, people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

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

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right Support: There was an open culture which supported people to set goals and achieve the outcomes they wanted. Staff knew people's care and support needs well and people were empowered to make decisions about their care.

Right Care: Staff were caring and compassionate towards the people they supported. People felt proud of their appearance and were encouraged to interact and communicate freely. Staff supported people to learn new skills, try new activities and maintain important contacts to them.

Right Culture: Values of the service were aimed at transparency and on-going improvement. There was a high morale within the staff team which led towards good working relationships and empowering of people to choose the way they wanted to live their lives.

Although people were encouraged to have control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, people's risk assessments were not always individualised. Quality assurance processes in place to assess and monitor the care provision were not always operated effectively because the provider had failed to pick up the issues we identified during our inspection. We made recommendations about this.

Staff followed people's medicine management procedures and there was on-going management oversite to ensure safe care delivery. Infection control and prevention guidance was in place, including the recommended safe practice associated with COVID-19 aimed to prevent people and visitors from catching and spreading infections. There was enough staff to support people to attend the activities of their choice. Appropriate recruitment checks were completed before staff started working with people.

Records in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) required reviewing making sure the provider had met the legal requirements. The staff team were in the process of attending all the necessary refresher courses. Although staff were observed on the job, the checks were not appropriately recorded. Staff were continually supervised to ensure they carried out their role responsibilities as necessary. People received support to attend to their health needs and follow a balanced diet where required.

People looked at ease in presence of staff who supported their privacy and dignity. Family members felt the service was meeting all their expectations and hopes. Staff used appropriate communication to interact with people and encouraged their involvement in conversations.

People were engaged and attended a number of activities that suited their interests and preferences. We observed people being excited and eager to attend to their daily activities. Any concerns received were dealt with quickly and in good time so that matters arising did not escalated.

There was good leadership at the service and a values driven culture with support for the staff team. Family members felt they had effective communication with the service and were involved in the matters arising regarding their relatives as and when necessary. Regular checks were carried out by the staff team to ensure good care and support for people.

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

Rating at last inspection

This was the first inspection of the service since the new provider took over and registered the service with the CQC on 1 December 2020.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.

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.