Archived: Beighton Road

An adult social care inspector carried out this inspection. We considered all the evidence we had gathered against the outcomes we inspected in order to answer our five key questions; Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well-led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at -

Is the service safe?

Throughout our observations we noted that people appeared relaxed with the care staff and seemed happy with the way in which staff were meeting their needs. There were no safeguarding concerns at the time of our inspection.

We found that people's records provided an accurate and for the most part up to date information about how to meet people's needs. There were risk assessments within each care plan which described how any identified risks to people were minimised.

The staff were knowledgeable about the support and equipment people needed to move safely. We found that staff had received training about how to use equipment safely. Regular internal and external checks were undertaken to ensure that equipment was properly maintained and serviced.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The MCA provides a framework to empower and protect people who may lack capacity to make key decisions about their care and treatment. We found that the MCA had been followed in relation to decisions about medical treatment and restraints. We also saw that Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA's) had been used to ensure that people's needs were recognised and their rights protected.

We spoke with some staff about the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The safeguards are used if extra restrictions or restraints are needed which may deprive a person of their liberty. Whilst no DoLS referrals had been made, most staff spoken with on the day of our inspection had an awareness of the safeguards. They told us they would discuss any concerns with the management team. We were confident that the management team were familiar with how, and when to make a referral.

Is the service effective?

On the day of our inspection a number of people were attending their day services. We also found that people were supported to access a range of social opportunities and community resources to meet their individual needs and interests. For example, we saw that the living/dining area of one of the houses had been decorated with banners to celebrate one person's birthday. This person told us that they had celebrated their birthday with, 'a party and cake.' Another person was positive about a trip to a newly opened pub which took place on the day of our inspection.

People's care records showed that care and treatment had been planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Following our previous inspection, each person's care plan had been reviewed. Staff told us that the updated plans and the introduction of a new daily recording sheet had resulted in the plans being clearer for them to identify the support people needed on a daily basis.

Is the service caring?

One person living at Beighton Road described the staff as, 'good helpers.' The relative of another person spoken with following our inspection stated, "it's reassuring to know that the staff have got [my relatives] best interests at heart and see his wellbeing and happiness as paramount.'

Throughout our inspection the atmosphere within each house was calm, supportive and relaxed. We saw that people were provided with support when they needed or requested it. Our observations and conversations with staff demonstrated that they knew people well and were able to interpret the verbal and non-verbal ways people communicated in order to assess mood, behaviours and general wellbeing. Members of staff spoken with on the day of our inspection frequently referred to, 'working as a team,' in order to meet the needs of people living at Beighton Road.

Is the service responsive?

We observed that staff responded promptly to people's needs. Our review of records showed us that, for the most part, people's care plan had been updated when people's needs had changed. We noted that referrals had been made, and advice and guidance sought from relevant health and social care professionals when needed.

We found that Beighton Road were proactive in ensuring that the right equipment was in place to meet and respond to people's changing needs. For example, one member of staff told us that pressure-mat sensors had quickly been put in place to alert and enable staff to respond to the increased falls of one person.

Our conversations with staff evidenced that Beighton Road provided training to enable staff to develop this skills and respond to the changing needs of people living at Beighton Road.

Is the service well-led?

We found that Beighton Road had effective systems to assess and monitor the quality of the service they provided. A range of regular audits were undertaken and action plans were developed to address and identified shortfalls.

Questionnaires were in place to enable people, their relatives and staff to give their opinion of the service. Surveys completed by people and their relatives were positive, there were some negative comments within staff surveys. We found that Beighton Road had noted and provided further opportunities for staff to discuss their concerns. This showed that there were effective structures in place to respond to issues raised.

A range of regular meetings were held to enable staff to receive updates and discuss issues about Beighton Road and the quality of the service. Staff told us that they were able to raise issues within these meetings and felt that that their views and contributions were listened to.

For the most part, where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider had acted in accordance with legal requirements.

The person spoken with as part of our inspection was positive about the support they received at Beighton Road. One relative commented that staff at Beighton Road knew their family member well and were, 'tuned in to their ways.' We found that medication was administered safely.

An effective process was in place to ensure that people were cared for by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. A system was in place to gather, record and evaluate information about the quality and safety of care provided.

Some records and risk assessments had not been updated when people's needs had changed. We were concerned that this could result in people not receiving appropriate care and treatment.