Background to this inspection
Updated
19 July 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 team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
Maple House 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
This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started on 07 June 2019 and ended 10 June 2019.
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 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the provider, acting manager, deputy manager and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
19 July 2019
About the service
Maple House provides care for up to five people who have a learning disability or autism.
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 service was an adapted domestic style property. It was registered for the support of up to five people. Five people were using the service. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found:
Everyone we spoke with praised the management and staff for the quality of the service provided.
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 safe from abuse and avoidable harm. There were effective safeguarding procedures in place and staff followed them. Staff knew how and who to report any concerns to. There were enough staff to support people safely. There were systems in place for any absence of staff and managers, so people continued to receive their support as planned.
Staff were recruited safely and had the right skills and experience to meet people’s needs. The environment was clean, well maintained and a safe place for people to live. Evacuation procedures were robust in the event of an emergency.
Staff followed infection prevention and control procedures to reduce risk of infection and people received their medicines as required.
People’s needs, and choices were assessed before they used the service. Risks to people’s health and well-being were managed. Staff received training and updates on best practice guidelines that were appropriate to people they supported.
People were treated to kind and compassionate care. Staff protected people’s dignity and confidentiality discreetly. Staff were sensitive to people’s individual needs and they understood how best to support people. Relationships between people and staff were positive. Changes to people’s health were reported and monitored, and staff supported people to their appointments.
Support was person centred and delivered the way people preferred and met their individual needs. Staff understood people’s needs with regards to the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. Information was available to people in accessible formats and staff knew people’s communication needs and understood how best to engage people.
People were occupied with activities, hobbies, and interests of their choosing. The atmosphere in the home was warm and friendly and people looked happy in their surroundings. The service met hosts from community venues to ensure people’s visits could be catered for safely and people’s diets and mobility needs were met.
People knew how to make a complaint and would feel confident doing so. People had opportunity to meet with the manager to discuss any concerns. Visitors were warmly welcomed at times suitable to them.
The service was managed well and there was an effective quality assurance processes in place. Action plans were developed following any shortfalls in the service and the registered manager worked closely with health and social care services.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. 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.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 (report published 01 November 2016).
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.