Background to this inspection
Updated
6 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
This inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
Byron House 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.
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
This inspection was unannounced.
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 six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, a regional manager and three care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance audits were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training and supervision data and policies and procedures.
Updated
6 October 2021
About the service
Byron House is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 23 younger adults living with mental health conditions. At the time of inspection there were 21 people living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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.
People were cared for safely. Regularly reviewed risk assessments were in place to guide staff in supporting people safely. Staff had received training about local safeguarding procedures and understood how to identify and report any concerns they had for people’s safety and well-being.
People were involved in planning their care where they wanted to be. Care records were clear and reflected people’s needs and wishes. Staff knew people well and treated them with respect and kindness.
People were encouraged to express their views and opinions about the care and support they received. They knew how to raise concerns and make complaints if they needed to.
There were enough staff employed to meet people’s needs. Safe recruitment practices were followed to ensure staff were suitable for the roles they were employed to undertake. Staff were trained to support people with their individual needs such as prescribed medicines, healthcare and dietary requirements.
Systems were in place to minimise the risk of infections spreading in the home and national guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic was followed.
Governance systems were in place to monitor and promote improvement in the quality and safety of the services provided for people. Issues we identified at the last inspection had been rectified and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
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 24 December 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
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.