Background to this inspection
Updated
2 December 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns we had about systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and staffing and recruitment.
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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Glengarriff 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. 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. 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 also spent time observing the care other people were receiving. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, an area manager and three care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and five staff files in relation to recruitment. 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. We looked at staff rotas, training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
2 December 2021
About the service
Glengarriff House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 18 people who live with a learning disability and/or who need support to maintain their mental health.
The accommodation consists of a main house and three separate self contained apartments, each having two bedrooms. There were 13 people living at Glengarriff House at the time of the inspection. Nine people lived in the main house and four people lived in the apartments.
The service is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the service had been developed and designed before Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance was produced. The size of the home having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
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. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, improvements were needed to the ways in which some best interests decisions were recorded.
The home applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who live in the home can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. Although staff worked within these principles, the registered manager recognised the need to ensure they were more aware of the guidance documents which underpinned their practice.
Staff knew people well. They understood the importance of supporting people as individuals and ensuring their preferences and wishes for their care were met. People benefitted from staff who received training and support to provide person centred care. There were enough staff on duty, who were safely recruited, to provide this support.
People were treated with kindness and their privacy and dignity was upheld. They enjoyed a range of social and leisure activities which were based on their preferences.
People had support to access all of the healthcare they needed. Staff promoted healthier lifestyles and good nutrition for people. Medicines were managed in the right way.
People told us they felt safe and liked living at Glengarriff House. Systems were in place to protect them from the risk of abuse. Other risks to people’s health, safety and welfare had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise those risks. People had benefitted from improved infection prevention and control arrangements.
People and the staff who supported them were satisfied with the way the home was run. They had opportunities to express their views and opinions.
Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the services provided. The registered manager had learned lessons and taken actions to address shortfalls identified. The provider had not always responded promptly to identified shortfalls regarding the general upkeep of the home environment. However, improvements were made during and after the inspection.
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 September 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.