United Response - 198 Powder Mill Lane

Updated 6 December 2022

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

United Response – 198 Powder Mill Lane is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started on 3 November 2022 and ended on 16 November 2022. The inspection visit took place on 8 November 2022.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 in person the registered manager, 1 person using the service, 2 relatives, 3 staff, and two healthcare professionals to get their experience and views about the care provided. We reviewed a range of records. They included 1 person’s care plan and risk record. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. We checked a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including staff rotas, training, and service level audits. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested additional evidence to be sent to us after our inspection. This included staffing and training information, and provider quality assurance audits. We received the information which was used as part of our inspection.

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.

Updated 6 December 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

About the service

Powder Mill Lane is a care home providing care and support for up to 5 people. The home provides permanent care and support for up to 2 adults with learning disabilities and respite care for up to 3 adults with learning disabilities. There was one person living there at the time of the inspection, who was receiving respite care.

CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right Support

The home provided a safe environment for people to live in and a service that safely met their needs. The quality of the service was regularly reviewed, and changes made to improve people’s care and support as required. This was provided in a way that best suited people. The home had well-established working partnerships that promoted people’s participation and reduced their social isolation.

Right Care

The staff were well trained, appropriately recruited and in sufficient numbers to support people to live safely, whilst enjoying their lives. Risks to both people and staff were assessed, monitored and reviewed. Complaints, concerns, accidents, incidents and safeguarding issues were reported, investigated and recorded. Trained staff safely administered people’s medicines.

Right culture

The culture of the service was open, honest and positive with leadership and management that was clearly identifiable and transparent. The provider had a clearly defined vision and values that staff understood and followed. Staff were aware of their responsibilities, accountability and happy to take responsibility and report any concerns they may have.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 2 March 2020).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to check whether the service was continuing to provide a good rated service to people.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service remains good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for United Response – 198 Powder Mill Lane on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.