Archived: 2 Cambridge Road

Updated 6 September 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 10 August 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice because the location was a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. We reviewed notifications the provider had sent us since our previous inspection. A notification is important information about particular events that occur at the service that the provider is required by law to tell us about. We contacted local authority commissioners and healthcare professionals that had contact with the service to obtain their views about the service.

During our inspection we spoke with the three people who lived at 2 Cambridge Road, the service manager and two support workers. We looked at the care records for two people. We also looked at records that related to health and safety and quality monitoring. We looked at medication administration records (MARs). We observed how the staff supported people in the communal areas. Observations are a way of helping us understand the experience of people living in the home.

Updated 6 September 2016

2 Cambridge Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to eight people. At the time of our inspection there were eight people with a learning disability living at the home. Accommodation is provided over 2 floors and all bedrooms are single rooms.

This announced inspection took place on 10 August 2016.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were following the correct procedures when administering medication. The records of the administration of medication were accurate. Daily medication audits were being carried out to ensure people received their medication as prescribed.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA including the DoLS. The provider could demonstrate how they supported people to make decisions about their care and the principles of the MCA were being followed.

The recruitment process had been followed to ensure that staff were only employed after satisfactory checks had been carried out. There were enough staff on shift to ensure that people had their needs met in a timely manner. Staff received a through induction and ongoing training to ensure that they had the skills and knowledge they required to meet people needs. Staff were aware of what actions to take if they thought that someone had been harmed in any way. Staff confirmed that they felt supported and received regular supervisions and annual appraisals.

Staff were kind and caring when working with people. They knew people well and were aware of their history, preferences, likes and dislikes. People’s privacy and dignity were usually respected. Staff encouraged and enabled people to make choices and carry out tasks independently and with support when needed.

Risks to people had been assessed and the necessary action had been taken to reduce the risks where possible. Care plans gave staff the information they required to meet people’s care and support needs in a person-centred way. Staff monitored people’s health and welfare needs and acted on issues identified. People had been referred to healthcare professionals when needed. People were involved in preparing a choice of food and drink that they enjoyed.

Staff supported people to maintain their interests and their links with the local community to promote social inclusion.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people felt confident to raise any concerns either with the staff or registered/service manager.

People’s views about the quality of the service were being obtained. People attended meetings about their care and support and discussed their views and choices.

There was an effective quality assurance process in place which identified any areas for improvement and ensured that they were actioned.