Onny Cottage

Onny Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 7 people. The service provides support to older people who have a physical and/or sensory impairment. At the time of our inspection there were 5 people using the service. Accommodation is provided in 1 adapted building.

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

People felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who knew them well and who had been trained to recognise and report any signs of abuse. The provider’s procedures for staff recruitment had improved so people were protected from harm. People received their medicines when they needed them from staff who were trained and competent to carry out the role. Risks to people were assessed and there were care plans in place to manage and mitigate risks. There were regular checks on the environment and equipment used by people to ensure they remained safe. The provider followed appropriate infection, prevention and control procedures. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the provider's policies and procedures supported this practice.

Systems to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided had improved. Staff morale was good and staff told us they felt well supported. Staff received the supervision and support needed to carry out their role effectively. The views of people were sought and valued. The provider worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure good outcomes for people. The provider was aware of their legal requirement and of their responsibility to be open an honest when things go wrong.

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 requires improvement (published 17 November 2021) and there were breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service sustained a serious injury. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, 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 risk of falls from height. This inspection examined those risks.

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 20 October 2021 where breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve safe care and treatment and good governance.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions safe and well-led which contain those requirements. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Onny Cottage on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Onny Cottage is a residential care home providing support with personal care to seven people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to seven people. Accommodation is provided in one adapted building.

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

The provider’s procedures for the recruitment of staff did not fully protect the people who lived at the home. The provider had implemented systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided however, these had not been fully embedded, and they were not always effective in identifying or addressing areas for improvement. People told us they felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. People received their medicines when they needed them. Staff knew how to recognise and report any signs of abuse. The provider ensured the environment was a safe place for people to live. People were protected from risks associated with the control and spread of infection.

People received adequate food and drink which met their needs and preferences. People were supported by a staff team who were trained and competent in their role. 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 able to personalise their bedrooms. People saw healthcare professionals when they needed. Before moving to the home people were assessed to ensure their needs and preferences could be met.

People told us they were supported by a kind and caring staff team who respected their needs and preferences. People were supported to make decisions about the care they received. People had their own bedrooms where they could spend time alone if they wished. Staff respected people’s right to privacy and their confidentiality was maintained.

People’s received care and support which took into account their needs and preferences. People were involved in planning and reviewing the care they received. People’s communication needs were assessed and considered. Staff ensured people were provided with opportunities for social stimulation and were able to maintain contact with those who were important to them. People knew how to raise any concerns they may have. Staff had access to important information about people’s wishes during their final days and following death.

The provider regularly provided hands on care and knew people well. Staff and people who lived at the home spoke highly of the provider and found them approachable. People benefited from an open and inclusive environment where their views were valued. The provider worked in partnership with others to ensure a positive outcome for the people who lived at the home.

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

This service was registered with us on 31/03/2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was inadequate, published on 08/04/2021.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.

We have identified breaches in relation to staff recruitment and quality assurance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.