Archived: Azure Charitable Enterprises - Washington

Updated 5 August 2021

The inspection

This was a focused inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the Notice of Decision in relation to Regulation 12 ( Safe care and treatment) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 on a specific concern we had about Infection prevention and control not being well-managed which placed people at risk of unsafe care.

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector. The inspection was started virtually and was followed up with a site visit. An Expert-by-Experience supported the inspection remotely. An Expert-by-Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Azure Charitable Enterprises-Washington 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 a thirty-minute period of notice of the inspection. This supported staff and ourselves to manage any potential risks associated with COVID-19.

Inspection activity took place off site between 16 June 2021 and 12 July 2021. A site visit to Azure Charitable Enterprises-Washington took place on 12 July 2021. We made telephone calls to people and relatives on 22 and 23 June 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with the Care Quality Commission. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, two team leaders and five support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and one person's medicines records. We looked at four 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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 5 August 2021

Azure Charitable Enterprises-Washington provides care, support and accommodation for up to 12 people living with a learning disability. There were 11 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. Accommodation is provided from two separate houses which are adjoined by a garden area.

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

People were no longer at risk from unsafe care and treatment. Improvements had been made in relation to the Infection Prevention Control issues identified at our previous inspection, which led to enforcement action.

We were assured that the provider was monitoring the use of PPE for effectiveness and people’s safely.

Staff had received safeguarding training and were clear on how and when to raise their concerns. Where appropriate, actions were taken to keep people safe.

Records provided guidance to ensure people received safe, person-centred care and support from all staff members. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

People and relatives were complimentary about the care provided by staff. They trusted the staff who supported them. They said staff were kind, caring and supportive of people and their families. One relative said, "The staff are lovely and they employ good staff."

There was a cheerful atmosphere at the service. Staff spoke very positively about working at the home and the people they cared for. Staff said the manager was very approachable and they were supported in their role.

A quality assurance system was in place to assess the standards of care in the service.

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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Systems were in place to ensure the right culture was being promoted that people’s human rights were respected and their opinions were listened to and valued. People were supported to make choices and achieve their aspirations. Staff adopted the ethos to provide person-centred care that enabled individuals to develop skills and behaviours to live more independent lives. A relative told us, "[Name] has learned a lot since they have been there – staff have taught [Name] how to get ready, they pick their own clothes and food choices."

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 25 March 2021). 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

We carried out an announced focused inspection of this service on 21 January 2021. A breach of legal requirements was found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve to ensure people received safe care and treatment.

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.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Azure Charitable Enterprises-Washington on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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 reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

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.