About the service 46 The Grove is a care home providing personal care and accommodation to seven people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to seven people and is registered to provide care to younger adults with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The home is a converted house and accommodates people across two floors. 46 The Grove is part of Consensus Support Services Limited, a provider with care services across England and Wales.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We checked the provider’s infection control processes and found, whilst there were protocols and recently implemented procedures, further action was needed to ensure that the risk of the spread of infection was being managed robustly.
People had person centred care plans and risk assessments which contained guidance for staff to support them to remain safe. However, some risks and care plans were not reviewed in a timely manner. Therefore, there was a concern they might not reflect people’s current circumstances.
People were supported to undertake activities, these had become more limited in a response to the COVID -19 pandemic restrictions. The provider had purchased equipment so they could support people to enjoy alternative activities whilst restrictions were in place.
Relatives told us they found staff and management approachable and they were kept informed of any concerns. Staff supported their family member to speak with them or hear them on the telephone and in some instances use virtual applications.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good when inspected 15 August 2018 (Published 18 September 2018)
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the care and support people received and the way the service was managed. We decided to inspect and examine those risks.
This focused inspection which included the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led. We looked 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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them.
Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
Enforcement
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 have identified two breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.