Background to this inspection
Updated
23 October 2021
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
One inspector completed this inspection.
Service and service type
Phoenix House 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 it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete 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
We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and care workers. Prior to this inspection we completed an engagement call with people to seek feedback. We also received feedback from four health and social care professionals who have regular contact with the service. This was undertaken as part of a direct monitoring call with the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medicine records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
23 October 2021
About the service
Phoenix House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to nine younger adults with a physical and learning disability. At the time of the inspection, eight people were living at the home.
The building was on one level and people had a single room with en-suite facilities. Communal spaces included a kitchen, dining area, television room, sensory room and accessible gardens.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and relatives had no concerns about safety. Staff knew what to do to keep people safe and were confident any concerns would be taken seriously. There were people whose behaviours at times placed them, the staff and others at risk of harm. Guidance on how staff were to manage incidents were in place which the registered manager monitored and analysed.
People were supported by sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff.
Medicines were safely managed. Information showed when staff should administer medicines that were prescribed as required.
The service was well led. There was a registered manager at the home who maintained oversight and had effective quality assurances systems in place. The registered manager was supported in their role by the operations team who visited regularly. People and staff had regular meetings to discuss their views, if needed, actions were identified and acted on.
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 guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
Not all Key Lines of Enquiry were assessed at this inspection, so the principles of Right support, right care and right culture were only reviewed in relation to the areas inspected.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
• Staff knew how to engage with people meeting their specific communication needs and we saw positive responses to staff from people.
• Staff genuinely showed a passion for improving outcomes for people and promoting choice.
Right care:
• People appeared comfortable with staff and there was much laughter and interaction throughout the day.
• Care practices were designed with people to meet their specific needs.
Right culture:
• The service promoted a positive culture and put people first.
• Morale was high, and this was felt throughout the service.
• Staff were encouraged to share ideas and knowledge about what worked best for people.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 27 December 2019).
At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
We undertook this focused inspection to check the service had made the necessary improvements and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.
The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Phoenix House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.