Background to this inspection
Updated
18 March 2020
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
SENSE – 25 Old Mill Park is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for six people who have a learning disability and/or a sensory disability.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission in post. However, the provider had started the process to register two managers with CQC as registered managers. A registered manager and 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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. We inspected the service on 5 February 2020.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included notifications of incidents that the registered persons had sent us since our last inspection. These are events that happened in the service that the registered persons are required to tell us about. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
The provider completed a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
During the inspection we spoke with one person who lived at the service, two care staff and both managers. We looked at three people's care records in detail and records that related to how the service was managed including staffing, training, medicines and quality assurance.
After the inspection
We spoke with two relatives by telephone after our inspection.
Updated
18 March 2020
About the service
SENSE – 25 Old Mill Park is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for six people who have a learning disability and/or a sensory disability.
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.
The service was a small home. It was registered for the support of up to six people. Four people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
There was a process in place to carry out quality checks. These were carried out on a regular basis. The home was clean, and staff understood how to prevent and manage infections.
There was enough staff to support people. Appropriate employment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Arrangements were in place to safeguard people against harm. People said they felt safe.
People enjoyed the meals and their dietary needs were catered for. This information was detailed in people’s care plans. Staff followed guidance provided to manage people's nutrition and pressure care. People were supported by staff who had received training to ensure their needs could be met. Staff received support and supervision to support their role.
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 had good health care support from external professionals. When people were unwell, staff had raised the concern and acted with health professionals to address their health care needs. People had access to a range of activities and leisure pursuits.
We saw evidence of caring relationships between staff and people who lived at the home. Staff were aware of people's life history and preferences and used this information to develop relationships. People felt well cared for by staff. Care records were personalised and were regularly reviewed.
The provider had displayed the latest CQC rating at the home and on their website. When required notifications had been completed to inform us of events and incidents.
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.
More information is in the detailed findings below.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 4 August 2017). At this inspection the service remains rated Good.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.