Dimensions 53 Cambridge Road

Updated 3 February 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 26 November 2020 and was unannounced.

Updated 3 February 2021

About the service

Dimensions 53 Cambridge Road is a residential care home providing personal care to five people living with a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. Accommodation was provided over two floors of a converted residential building.

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. The home was near to local amenities and fit with local residential buildings.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Some improvements had been made since the last inspection, however we found the service still did not consistently assess risks to people and implement management plans to manage those risks. Fire management actions were not always carried out or evidenced in line with requirements. Medicines were now stored securely, and the stocks were managed effectively.

There had been another change in registered manager since the last inspection, and the current registered manager had come into post shortly before this inspection. Though there was a service improvement plan in place, this had not identified all issues we identified in risk management and documentation and had not ensured action was taken in a timely way.

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. Improvements were required in evidencing assessments for specific decisions.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff were caring and kind. We received positive feedback from a relative and visiting professional about the approach staff took and about positive interactions staff had with them. Staff fed back positively about the management of the service and improvements made since the last inspection.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 8 December 2018) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found some improvements had been made, however we identified that systems had not been embedded which meant there were some continued breaches of regulation.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

Enforcement

We have identified continued breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance at this inspection.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.