Background to this inspection
Updated
21 August 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
This inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Pines Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out; we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
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 professionals who work with the service. 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 three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff and the registered manager. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medicines records. We also looked at three staff files to check the recruitment of staff. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service and training records. We walked around the home and observed care practice and interactions between support staff and people.
After the inspection
We requested further information from the registered manager related to the service; this was provided promptly.
Updated
21 August 2019
About the service
The Pines Residential Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people who have learning disabilities and mental health needs. At the time of the inspection 12 people were living at the home.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 13 people. 12 people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. 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
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 told us they were ”very happy”, felt safe and that staff had a good understanding of their needs and preferences.
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 to gain new skills and become more independent.
Risks had been identified and measures put in place to keep people safe from harm. Medicines were managed safely and administered by trained staff.
Staff were well trained and skilled. They worked with people to overcome challenges and promote their independence. The emphasis of support was towards inclusion and enabling people to learn essential life skills.
Staff understood and promoted equality, diversity and human rights.
People, professionals and their families described the staff as being caring, kind and friendly and the atmosphere of the home as relaxed and engaging.
People received pre-admission assessments and effective person-centred support. The service was responsive to people's current and changing needs. Regular reviews took place which ensured people were at the centre of their support.
Leadership was visible and promoted good teamwork. People, professionals and staff spoke highly about the management and staff had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The registered manager and staff team worked together in a positive way to support people to achieve their own goals and to be safe.
Checks of safety and quality were made to ensure people were protected. Work to continuously improve the service was noted and the registered manager was keen to make changes that would impact positively on people's lives.
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 9 November 2016).
Why we inspected:
This inspection was a scheduled 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.