Nutley Hall

Updated 18 November 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place 27 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 18 November 2020

About the service

Nutley Hall is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to 33 people with a learning disability, including autism, and associated physical and sensory disabilities. The home offers therapeutic approaches to care and support in a working and living community environment, where staff and people live and work together, in seven units in six separate buildings. At the time of the inspection 32 people were using the service.

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.

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

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.

People were unable to tell us if they felt safe. However, relatives and health professionals said they felt the service was safe and we saw staff supported people safely. Staff knew people very well and had a good understanding of their needs. Risk had been assessed and staff provided support to reduce risk as much as possible without restricting people.

There were enough staff working in the home to support people to take part in a range of internal and external activities of their choice. These included weaving, baking, woodwork, and arts and crafts. Robust recruitment procedures ensured only suitable people were employed. Appropriate training and supervision were provided to ensure staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities.

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. Staff had completed mental capacity training, they had a good understanding of consent and people made decisions about all aspects of their day to day lives.

Care plans and supporting documentation reflected people’s individual needs and the support staff provided. The care plans were reviewed and updated regularly, with the involvement of people and their relatives. A complaints procedure was in place. People, relatives and staff were aware of it, but said they had not got anything to complain about.

The registered manager was well thought of. There were positive comments from staff, relatives and health professionals about the management of the home, and feedback was consistently sought to identify areas where improvements may be needed. Residents meetings enabled people to talk about the care they received and put forward suggestions for different activities or trips.

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 4 September 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 inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.