Background to this inspection
Updated
17 October 2018
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 17 August 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.
The home was last inspected in August 2017 when it was rated as 'Requires improvement' overall with breaches of Regulation 17 ‘Good Governance’ and Regulation 18 ‘Staffing’ of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we held about the service, including previous inspection reports and notifications of significant events the provider sent to us. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to tell us about.
During the inspection we spoke with two people who use the service. We observed care and support being delivered in communal areas of the home. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, four support workers and the cleaner. Following the inspection, we received feedback from three family members, two health care professionals and a visiting professional who had contact with the service.
We looked at care plans and associated records for five people and records relating to the management of the service. These included staff duty records, three staff recruitment files, records of complaints, accidents and incidents and quality assurance records.
Updated
17 October 2018
Beaufort House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Beaufort House provides accommodation and support for up to six people, who have a learning disability or an autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection, there were five people living at the home.
The inspection was conducted on 17 August 2018 and was unannounced.
Accommodation was arranged over three floors which could be accessed by a staircase. There was a large open plan communal area for social interaction and a quiet room for people to use if required. People also had access to an enclosed garden which had seating and tables available.
A registered manager was in post. 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.
At our last inspection in August 2017, we gave the service an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ and identified breaches of regulation 17 ‘Good Governance’ and Regulation 18 ‘Staffing’ of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Following the inspection, the provider wrote to us, detailing the action they would take to address the concerns.
At this inspection we found that appropriate actions had been taken and therefore the service was no longer in breach of these regulations.
People felt safe living at Beaufort House. Staff knew how to identify, prevent and report abuse. Safeguarding investigations were thorough and identified learning to help prevent a reoccurrence.
There were sufficient staff employed to meet people's needs; keep them safe and provide them with person-centred support. Appropriate recruitment procedures were in place to ensure only suitable staff were employed.
Individual and environmental risks to people were managed effectively. Risk assessments identified risks to people and provided clear guidance to staff on how risks should be managed and mitigated.
Arrangements were in place for the safe management of medicines. People received their medicines as prescribed. The home was clean and staff followed best practice guidance to control the risk and spread of infection.
People’s needs were met by staff who were competent, trained and supported appropriately in their role. Staff acted in the best interests of people and followed legislation designed to protect people’s rights and freedom.
Procedures were in place to help ensure that people received consistent support when they moved between services.
Staff developed caring and positive relationships with people and were sensitive to their individual choices. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff protected people’s privacy.
People were provided with individualised, person-centred care. Care plans contained detailed information to enable staff to provide care and support in a personalised way. People were empowered to make choices about all aspects of their lives. They had access to a range of activities suited to their individual interests.
People told us they were happy living at the home and had confidence in the management. People, family members and professionals reported that there had been improvements made in relation to the running of the service since the last inspection.
Staff were organised, motivated and worked well as a team. They felt supported and valued by the registered manager.
The provider was fully engaged in running the service and invited feedback from people, their families and professionals to help drive improvements. There were a clear auditing processes in place. The quality of the service was monitored and appropriate actions were taken when required.
The service worked in partnership with other agencies to help ensure that there was a team approach to providing effective and appropriate care to people.