Background to this inspection
Updated
11 April 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: One inspector completed the inspection.
Service and service type: Blythe House is a ‘care home’ for younger adults with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. 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: Inspection site visit activity started and completed on 20 February 2019 and was unannounced.
What we did: Before the inspection we reviewed information available to us about this service. This included details of incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse. We sought feedback from the local authorities that worked with the service. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We received this information and took it into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection we spoke with two people using the service, one relative and two professionals. We spoke with five members of staff, including the registered manager. We reviewed three staff records, three people's care records, medicines records and records related to the management of the service.
Updated
11 April 2019
About the service: Blythe House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 10 younger adults who are living with a learning disability Ten people were living in the home on the day of the inspection. There were deliberately no identifying signs to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing clothing that suggested they worked on the premises.
People’s experience of using this service: The provider safeguarded people from abuse. Staff recognised and reported concerns. Relevant risk assessments were completed. Accidents and incidents were monitored to identify and address trends and reduce risk.
People were supported to have their medicines safely. The service was involved in STOMP (stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines). People’s medicines had been reduced helping them stay well and have a good quality of life.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.
There were enough staff to care for people. People asked for assistance from staff when they wanted it. Staff recruitment was safe and staff received the training they needed to develop the skills they required. Staff received regular supervision, an annual appraisal and delivered person-centred care.
People’s rights were protected. Staff gained consent before delivering care tasks. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People's communication preferences were supported and they made their own decisions. People spent their time doing things they enjoyed, which maximised their time spent in the local community. One person who wanted to work in retail had gained work experience in a national store and others had taken part in horse riding and winter sports.
Staff supported people to have enough to eat and drink. People had access to health care and support from other health and social care professionals, which ensured good health outcomes.
People's preferences and the views of their relatives were considered when care was assessed, planned and reviewed. End of life plans had been discussed and were in place for some people in the service.
There was an open culture. the registered manager was approachable. They addressed complaints to make improvements.
Rating at last inspection: Good (report was published 04 July 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.