Archived: Park Avenue

Updated 1 August 2018

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 11 July 2018. This was a comprehensive inspection that due to the size of the service was carried out by one inspector. This was the first inspection of Park Avenue and we announced our inspection as we wished to ensure there was someone at the service when we visited.

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 provider is required to send us by law. The provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR prior to our inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with or met two people who lived at the service, spoke with two members of staff and the registered manager. If people were unable to tell us directly about their experience, we observed the care they received and the interactions they had with staff. We looked at two people’s care records, including their assessments, care plans and risk assessments. We checked training records and how medicines were managed and reviewed two staff recruitment files. We also looked at health and safety checks and quality monitoring checks.

Following the inspection, we obtained feedback from two relatives.

Updated 1 August 2018

Park Avenue is a supported living service providing personal care and support for up to three adults who have a learning disability, physical disability or mental health conditions. At the time of our announced inspection on 11 July 2018, there were three people living at the service. This was the first inspection of this service. This service provides care and support to people living in one ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 assisted us with our inspection.

People ‘s care and support was planned proactively in partnership with them. People had opportunities to take part in activities that reflected their interests. People told us they were happy living at Park Avenue.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of appropriately skilled staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had. Risks to people’s safety were identified and action taken to keep people as safe as possible. Accidents and incidents were reviewed and measures implemented to reduce the risk of them happening again. People’s care would not be interrupted in the event of an emergency and people were made aware of fire procedures. Staff had been recruited safely by the provider.

People lived at a service that was kept clean and free from infection. People’s medicines were stored and administered safely and where people required input from healthcare professionals they were supported to access this. People could make choices about the food they ate and each person had a health action plan which detailed their health needs and the support they needed. Staff worked with external organisations and professionals to help provide the most effective care to people. People’s needs had been assessed prior to moving in to the service.

People’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were respected. Staff understood the importance of gaining people’s consent to their care and there were no restrictions in place for people.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and caring towards them. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity. People were supported to make choices about their care and to remain independent. There was sufficient information in people’s support plans to enable staff to provide the most appropriate care to people. This included their wishes in relation to their death.

People and staff benefited from good leadership provided by the registered manager. Staff said there was a strong team and staff said they received good support from their colleagues. People’s views were taken into account and the provider’s quality monitoring systems were effective in ensuring people received good quality care and support. Important areas of the service were audited regularly. Should someone wish to complain there were appropriate procedures in place.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.