Isabel Court

Updated 16 April 2021

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.

We received information of concern about infection control and prevention measures at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place

This inspection took place on 18 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 16 April 2021

About the service

Isabel Court is a specialised short break service that provides short term respite care for adults with a learning disability and people with a physical disability. Hertfordshire County Council is registered to provide accommodation and care at Isabel Court for up to three people at any one time. Three people were using the service at the time of the inspection.

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 receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

People felt safe when they used the service. They told us, they knew staff well and they were listened to by them.

Relatives were happy with how the service supported people. They told us staff communicated any changes to people’s needs and took appropriate action in referring people to specialist health care support when needed.

People’s medicines were administered safely by staff who were trained and had their competencies checked.

When things went wrong the registered manager reported to safeguarding authorities and lessons were learned and actions taken to prevent reoccurrence.

Various audits were carried out by the management of the service to monitor the quality of the care provided, and actions were taken to improve where necessary.

People were supported to attend their planned activities and people had opportunities to socialise with others when they were using the service.

Care plans were in place with risk assessments and guidance for staff to enable them to meet people’s needs safely and effectively.

Staff had training and felt supported by management to carry out their roles effectively.

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 20 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.