Archived: The Cherries

Updated 8 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. 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:

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

The Cherries 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:

This inspection was announced.

What we did:

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider, including the previous inspection report. The registered provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at notifications and any safeguarding alerts we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law.

During the inspection:

We met each person and spoke with some of them who were happy and able to speak to us.

We spoke with a relative and a healthcare professional as well as spending time observing staff with people in communal areas during the inspection.

We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, and two staff.

We also reviewed the following documents:

Two people's care and medicine records.

Recruitment, supervision and training records for staff.

Records relating to incidents and accidents together with checks about the quality and management of the home.

Updated 8 August 2019

About the service:

The Cherries is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people who may have learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder, behavioural and other complex needs. At the time of our inspection there were six people living there.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

People’s experience of using this service:

The provider and staff were exceptionally effective at supporting people, often over long periods of time, to build confidence and respond to positive behaviour strategies. This had enabled some people to achieve personal milestone goals that profoundly improved health, lifestyle and social skills.

Some people told us the organisation went the extra mile to respond to their needs and the needs of their loved ones.

The achievements of the staff to meet some people’s needs were recognised by relatives and the provider who nominated The Cherries for a national pride award.

People received an individualised service that responded to the needs of people and their loved ones.

People and their relatives gave positive feedback about the service. People told us they decided how they spent their time and the activities they took part in.

Staff worked with people and their families, they used information from people’s histories and background to develop and review meaningful activities.

Staff monitored people’s symptoms and supported them to receive specialised medical help to ensure correct diagnoses were made and appropriate medication was available.

Staff used technology to enhance people’s care, by supporting them to use a tablet computer, access the internet and use smart TVs to view films and access music.

People were supported to take positive risks to bond and interact with family members, access the community regularly and be involved in food shopping and meal preparation. Risks were assessed and there was clear guidance and support strategies for staff to follow.

People and staff told us there were enough staff to keep people safe, support them to follow their interests and take part in activities.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet; one person’s planned weight loss enabled them to take up new activities.

Some people had healthcare conditions that effected their eating or drinking, they were supported to manage these safely.

People, their relatives and staff were positive about the culture of the service. They felt it was transparent and well-led.

The staff were led by a management team that showed a commitment to continuous improvement and development of the service people received.

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 received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection in July 2016, the service was rated Good.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as

per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.