Belong Warrington Care Village

Updated 6 December 2022

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

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, an ‘Expert by Experience’ and a specialist advisor. An ‘Expert by Experience’ is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Belong Warrington Care Village 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. Belong Warrington Care Village is a care home with nursing care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. 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.

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 information we received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all the information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people who lived at Belong Warrington Care Village, 10 relatives about their experiences of the care provided. We also spoke with the registered manager, 3 senior members of the management team, 8 members of care staff, 2 registered general nurses, 1 admiral nurse and received feedback from four external professionals who support the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 7 people’s care records, multiple medication records, 5 staff personnel files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

Updated 6 December 2022

About the service

Belong Warrington Care Village is a 'care home' and support up to 73 older people and younger adults who are living with dementia and physical disabilities. People in care homes receive accommodation, nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. At the time of our inspection 63 people lived at Belong Warrington Care Village across six adapted ‘households’.

People’s experience of using this service

We have made a recommendation about staffing. The skill set, experience and knowledge of staff needed to be considered so that people received a consistent level of care from the right staff. Pre-employment recruitment checks were conducted, and disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks were carried out.

Safeguarding measures and procedures were in place. However, we noted that the procedures were not always followed in a timely manner. Shortfalls had been identified by the new management team and improvements were being made as a measure of keeping people safe and protecting them from the risk of abuse.

Improved quality assurance and governance measures were in the process of being embedded. The new registered manager acknowledged that additional oversight and monitoring measures needed to be implemented and complied with. Individual risks to people were assessed and reviewed.

The registered manager expressed that areas of improvements had been identified prior to our inspection but a period of sustained stability was needed at the service. The registered manager provided assurances that improved processes and systems would support positive outcomes and the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care. Staff expressed that improvements across the service were being made and their feedback and suggestions were being listened to.

Medication administration procedures were in place. Staff received medication administration training, regularly had their competency levels checked and there was an up-to-date medication policy in place. Regular medicine audits were completed, and staff competence was monitored.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and arrangements were in place. There was an up-to-date infection control and hygiene policy, staff had access to the required PPE and safe visiting guidance and arrangements were being followed.

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.

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 16 March 2020). At this inspection, the service has been rated requires improvement.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

For all types of inspections in care homes, we look 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.

Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed

One recommendation has been made, which is a proportionate response to the evidence we found. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.