Background to this inspection
Updated
4 April 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. 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
The inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Cottage Specialist Residential Service is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
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 and 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 using the service and six members of staff including the registered manager, the senior nurse, service lead and three care staff. We reviewed a range of records including two people’s care records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We reviewed additional information provided by the registered manager including the training matrix and staff rosters.
Updated
4 April 2020
About the service
The Cottage Specialist Residential Service is a residential care home that was providing accommodation and personal care to four people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up four people with a learning disability, autism and/or complex conditions including mental health problems.
The service was provided in a house, located on a residential street with individual bedrooms on the first floor and communal living areas on the ground floor. The service had been developed 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 adjoined other specialist services for people with learning disabilities, autism and other complex conditions under the same provider. The management team had responsibilities for more than one service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff protected people from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks associated with people's health and safety were assessed and were well managed. Staff understood the risks and knew how to care for people safely. People received their medicines as prescribed. Processes were in place for the prevention and control of infection.
People had confidence in the ability of staff to deliver their care effectively. New staff completed a planned induction when they started work at the service and training records indicated staff received regular training required for their roles. Staff were encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills. Staffing levels were planned to meet people’s needs and care was provided by experienced staff who had a good knowledge of the people they cared for.
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. Staff promoted people's independence and decision making whilst they were using the service. People were provided with a nutritious and balanced diet.
Care was personalised according to people's assessed needs and preferences. Good teamwork and information sharing ensured staff took a consistent approach to people’s care. People had access to health professionals when needed and the staff team worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to ensure people received the support they needed to remain well. When complaints were made, they were investigated and managed in line with the provider's complaints policy.
The culture in the service was open, positive and honest with transparent management and leadership. Areas of responsibility and accountability were identified and the quality of the service was frequently reviewed. Audits were carried out and records kept up to date. Staff and people using the service felt involved and engaged.
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 25 October 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned 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.