Background to this inspection
Updated
19 November 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
Sycamore House is a 'care 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.
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
We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection, we reviewed information we had received about the service, including notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us. We considered information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually 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 two people who used the service and one visiting relative to gain their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including members of the management and support teams. We reviewed a range of records, including; people's care records and medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
19 November 2019
About the service
Sycamore House provides personal care for up to five people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were four people living at the service.
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
Systems were in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and investigate any concerns. Risks linked to people's care were considered and monitored. Environmental risks were considered. Staff recruitment was robust and people received care from staff who knew them well and had relevant experience. People were supported appropriately with their medicines.
People's care was based on an assessment of their needs and their choices. Staff had access to a range of training and support. People were supported to regularly access health care service to maintain their wellbeing.
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 had regard for 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 were well supported by staff who had a good understanding of their individual needs and preferences. People were supported to make day to day decisions and given meaningful opportunity to participate in care decisions. People's privacy and dignity were respected and supported.
People's care plans were person centred and contained detail about how they should be supported, and we witnessed staff following this guidance. Staff understood people's communication needs. People were supported to engage in a range of individual and group activities. There had been no recent formal complaints recorded. Information on people's end of life choices were recorded, as appropriate.
Staff and management were focussed in trying to ensure care and support was based on people's individual needs and personal choices. Staff felt supported and said management were always available. Appropriate checks and quality audits were undertaken. People’s views were sought to help improve the service.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was Good (published 19 April 2017)
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating of the service at the last inspection.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.