9 March 2022
During a routine inspection
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.
People were protected from the risk of abuse by the provider’s procedures and the training of the staff. People’s care needs were identified, and care plans created to guide staff in how to provide safe support. Staff understood people’s needs and the provider kept staff up to date with any changes in people’s care plans.
People were supported by enough appropriately trained staff to meet their needs, and there was always a more senior staff member on shift to provide necessary leadership if incidents occurred.
People’s prescribed medicines were safely managed. The care home was clean and hygienic. The necessary procedures were in place to prevent the spread of health infections as far as possible.
People living at the service had chosen to participate in dialectical behaviour therapy. That is a type of therapeutic talking therapy specially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. We received feedback that people found the therapy program to be helpful.
People were able to choose what they ate and drank. Staff helped people to choose a healthy diet and we received feedback that people found the support to be successful in improving people’s wellbeing.
People lived in a care home which was well maintained, homely, and which had been personalised by people. The provider had arranged activities based on the wishes and feedback received from people. People told us they enjoyed the activities.
People’s right to make their own decisions was respected and the provider obtained people’s consent before providing care.
People were supported by staff who treated them with kindness and respect. Staff spoke positively about people’s achievements and progress; and encouraged people to increase their confidence and independence.
People were supported to maintain contact with family and friends who were important to them. People, and relatives, knew how to raise concerns with the registered manager. But there had been no complaints received by the care home since the last inspection.
The service learned when things went wrong, and we saw the provider had implemented several changes following the involvement of the Coroner after the death of a person.
People were supported by a team who had a positive approach, high morale, and who were led by a registered manager who was committed to ensuring people received the best possible support.
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 May 2019).
Why we inspected
This comprehensive inspection was prompted, in part, by notification of a specific incident, following which a person using the service died. This incident was subject to an inquest by the Coroner, who raised concerns about the provider’s management arrangements and the support provided to prevent potential future deaths. The Care Quality Commission was asked to inspect the service to assess whether the provider had carried out the actions they had told the Coroner they would do; to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at continued risk of harm from this concern. Please see the Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led sections of this full report.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.