We carried out a review of the data available to us about Branwell Manor on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Branwell Manor, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
• The home was clean and well ventilated, with regular regimes in place to prevent the spread of infection.
• Clear signs were in place to reinforce infection control procedures.
• Staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately.
• People said they felt safe and understood the systems in place to support their safety in relation to COVID-19.
• Hand sanitising points were readily accessible and staff used these frequently.
Branwell Manor consists of one purpose-built property with two floors tailored to support adults with complex needs including autism spectrum conditions, physical and learning disabilities.
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
The service applied the principles and values 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.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. 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.
Staff were trained to recognise and report safeguarding and whistleblowing to ensure people remained safe. People were happy with the care and support provided and felt safe and comfortable in the presence of staff.
People were supported to remain safe. A range of risk assessments were used to manage the risks to people both in the home and in the community. Medicines were managed safely.
Staff received a detailed induction, along with ongoing refresher training to ensure knowledge and skills remained up to date. Supervision and appraisals had also been completed to provide ongoing support.
People received personalised care which met their needs and wishes. People's care and support had been planned in partnership with them. Staff knew people well and supported them in line with their current needs and wishes. They were knowledgeable about people's likes, dislikes and personal preferences.
A robust quality assurance system was in place to monitor the service provided to people and areas for improvement were identified and actioned.
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 2018) and there were two 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.
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.
Branwell Manor is a care home for up to eight people. At the time of this inspection there were eight people living at the home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Branwell Manor consists of one building with two floors tailored to support adults with complex needs including autism spectrum conditions, physical and learning disabilities.
This location was last inspected on 14 March 2016 and at that time was rated good in all domains. At this inspection we found some areas required improvement and we identified two breaches in regulation in relation to consent and good governance.
On the day of our inspection a registered manager was 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.
The provider was not fully compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2015 because decision specific mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were not routinely completed. There was no evidence people were being restricted or receiving care that was not in their best interests.
Systems were in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality of the service however areas for improvement that had been identified in the provider’s own internal audit had not be solved and were found again during this inspection.
People told us they felt safe using the service and relatives corroborated this. Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff knew what to do if safeguarding concerns were identified.
People’s medicines were managed safely.
There were assessments in place that identified relevant risks to people and management plans to reduce these risks were in place to ensure people's safety. There were sufficient staffing levels to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
People were provided with personalised care and support. People’s needs in relation to the protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010, were taken into account in the planning of their care. People's communication needs were assessed and staff adapted their communication to better meet people’s needs.
People were supported to eat a balanced diet that met their individual dietary needs. They were supported to access healthcare services in order to maintain their health.
People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring and their privacy and dignity were respected by staff.
Staff told us they felt supported by the management team and the team communicated regularly and effectively. People, relatives and staff had confidence in the leadership of the service.
People lived in a service which had been adapted to meet their needs and was focussed on providing high quality care that improved the wellbeing and independence of people living in the home. The service worked in partnership with other agencies to support care provision.
The inspection took place on 14 March 2016 and was unannounced.
Branwell Manor provides accommodation for up to eight people with learning and physical disabilities. On the day of our inspection there were six people living in Branwell Manor.There was a registered manager in place, they had been in post since October 2015. 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.
The atmosphere in the home was warm and welcoming both from the people who used the service and the staff team. The service had safe recruitment processes in place and appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work at Branwell Manor. This showed staff had been appropriately checked to make sure they were suitable and safe to work with vulnerable people.
We saw there was enough staff on duty to meet people's needs safely. The manager told us a dependency tool was used to calculate the number of staff required for each shift, however this was flexible and could be changed depending on what activities were taking place on a daily basis. This demonstrated the service considered the numbers of staff needed to ensure people's needs were met.
Appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to the safe recording, handling, storage and administration of medicines.
People were supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Staff received regular training which equipped them to meet the needs of the people who used the service. Supervision from the manger was in place for all staff, to monitor their performance and development needs and ensure their skills and competencies were kept up to date..
People's human rights were protected by staff who had received training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).Staff were trained to manage behaviour that challenges others, whilst ensuring people's rights were protected.
People's food and drink met their religious or cultural needs. We saw each person was asked about any food preferences and this was documented in each person’s care plan. People were supported to be able to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs.
We saw people were supported to express their views and were actively involved in making decisions about their care, treatment and support. People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected. People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.
There was clear documentation in each person's care plan about their likes and dislikes. Care plans were up to date and gave a detailed picture of how each person liked to be supported.
People were offered choices throughout the day including what activities they would like to do and when.
We saw the complaints procedure was followed and complaints were acted on in a timely manner.
The manager was open to new ideas and keen to learn from others to ensure the best possible outcomes for people living within the home.
The manager regularly worked with staff providing support to people who lived at Branwell Manor, which meant they had an in-depth knowledge of the people living there.
Robust auditing was in place. This meant the registered provider had systems in place to ensure they identified shortfalls and these were addressed in a timely manner.