Background to this inspection
Updated
13 November 2019
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Cygnet House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
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 all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We met two people who were using the service. We spoke with the providers. We reviewed four people’s care records, a sample of medication records, safety checks and policies and procedures.
After the inspection
We spoke with five relatives about their experience of the care provided.
Updated
13 November 2019
About the service
Cygnet House is a residential care home providing accommodation for people who require personal care. People do not live at Cygnet House, they visit for a short break. The support is provided within the providers own home. Some people used the service a few times a year, others regularly for evening and overnight support. The remainder of the time people live with their families in the community.
At the time of inspection, 14 people were regularly using Cygnet House, with a maximum occupancy of two people at any one time. The providers ran the service. No other staff were needed or employed at the time of our inspection.
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.
The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.
As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the management team at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We have made a recommendation about the providers processes and keeping their knowledge up to date.
We have made recommendations about mental capacity and deprivation of liberty.
The providers demonstrated an open and fair culture. Relatives had confidence in the provider.
Relatives felt their loved ones were safe. The provider had a good knowledge of safeguarding processes. Peoples needs were assessed prior to receiving a service and care plan and risk assessments reflected this. People received their medicines safely.
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 with kindness and compassion. People’s privacy and dignity was maintained. People were encouraged to be independent.
People were encouraged and supported to access the community. People were supported in a person-centred way. Peoples personal preferences were identified in their care plans.
The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and focused on them having as many opportunities as possible. 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
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 23 March 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.