The New Inn

Updated 26 January 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The New Inn is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The New Inn is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people who used the service. We also spoke with 3 staff members in addition to the registered manager, and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We spent time observing people in areas throughout the service and could see the interaction between people and staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included people’s care records and medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were viewed, including health and safety records, maintenance checks and quality audits. We contacted and received feedback from 3 visiting professional and 4 relatives.

Updated 26 January 2023

About the service

The New Inn is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 7 people with learning disabilities, autism, and other support needs including a mental health illness. The service can support up to 10 people.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and 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 supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

People's experience of using this service and what we found

Right Support:

Although the New Inn is registered for 10 people and this was larger than recommended, the service was run in a way that met the guidance. The model of care and environment maximised people's choice, control and independence. There was an open plan lounge/dining room and separate communal area on the first floor so people could spend time apart if they chose to. The garden was also attractive safe and accessible.

Staff supported people's strengths and promoted what they could do for themselves. They

understood the importance of people being as independent as possible, and the fulfilment this gave people. For example, people were encouraged to look after their own rooms and laundry. People were supported to be busy and to have fulfilling lives that included life activities and social events.

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's health needs were monitored, and people were supported to ensure they received health care when needed. People received their medicines in line with prescription guidelines.

Right Care:

People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people's privacy and dignity. Staff knew people as individuals and responded to their different needs. Staff were aware of people's emotional support needs. They understood what triggered people's anxiety and how to support them during times of distress. Staff were aware of their responsibility to protect people from potential abuse and concerns were reported and investigated in line with good practice and requirements.

Each person had a Key worker who they had formed positive and supportive relationships with. Choices were provided to people in relation to their day to day support and how they wanted to spend their time. Recreational and social events were an important part of people’s lives and given a high priority.

Right Culture:

The registered manager and the extended management team have worked hard at promoting a positive and inclusive environment where people and staff felt valued and listened to. The registered manager was providing effective hands on leadership.

Staff demonstrated their commitment to the values and ethos of the service that put people at the centre of all care and support provided. Staff spoke positively about people's achievements and encouraged their independence whenever possible.

Staff spoke positively about the management team, and the support they received. One staff member said, "I love working here, it’s a good team, and you are well supported.”

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 (22 January 2020) and there was a breach 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 regulation 17.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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, which will help inform when we next inspect.