Natalie House

Updated 22 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 16 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 22 April 2021

About the service

Natalie House is a residential care home providing personal care for five people living with a learning disability and/or autism at the time of the inspection. The service is registered to support up to five people.

People using the service lived in a large bungalow, with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Services for people with learning disabilities and/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.

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

The provider’s systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service had not always been effective at identifying where the registered provider needed to make some improvements. For example, key worker reviews had not been completed in line with the provider’s processes.

People were safe living at the home. Staff knew how to protect people from harm and reduce the risk of accidents and incidents. At the time of our site visit, we found there were enough numbers of suitably recruited staff on duty to meet people’s needs to keep people safe. People were supported by staff who knew their needs well. Staff supported people safely with their medicines. Staff understood how to prevent and control the spread of infection.

People who had recently moved into the home had been assessed before being accepted to the service to ensure the provider could meet their needs. Assessments addressed the person’s physical and health needs, their cultural needs and what was important to them. Staff had received training which helped them to deliver personalised care. Our observations showed people looked happy.

There was a choice of foods available and where appropriate, people received additional support with their dietary needs. Staff worked with external health and social care professionals and ensured people were supported to access these services when they needed them to maintain their health and wellbeing.

People were supported to have maximum choice, 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. 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.

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s care and support needs. Relatives and professionals told us how kind and caring the staff were. Staff enjoyed their work and had developed a good rapport with the people they supported. Staff encouraged people’s independence and protected their privacy.

Most of the people using the service at the time of the inspection could not tell us about their experiences. Whilst on site, people looked comfortable with the way they were being supported and we saw positive interactions between people and staff. Professionals and relatives, we spoke with gave us positive feedback on the service and the way the staff supported their family members. Staff provided care to people in line with their individual preferences and choices.

Complaints made since the last inspection had been investigated and relatives knew who to contact if they had any concerns. Professionals and relatives were happy with the way the service was being led and there was a culture amongst the staff team in providing person-centred care.

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 requires improvement (published 20 December 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last 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.