Background to this inspection
Updated
20 September 2018
We carried out this comprehensive inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 site visit took place on 29 June and 5 July 2018 and it was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because it is small and the registered manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.
Before the inspection we reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR) the registered manager had sent to us. This is information we require providers to send us at least annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the other information such as notifications we held about the service and the provider. A notification is information about important events the provider is required to send to us by law. We also reviewed the monitoring report we received from the local authority.
During the inspection we spoke with three people who use the service, one relative of a person using the service, three support staff, and the registered manager. We spent time observing how people were supported. We looked at four care records and medicine administration records for five people. We reviewed four staff members’ recruitment, training and supervision records. We also checked records relating to the management of the service including quality audits and health and safety management records.
Updated
20 September 2018
This inspection took place on 29 June and 5 July 2018. The inspection was announced. This was the first inspection of the service since they registered this location with the CQC in May 2017. Hervey Road provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. At the time of our inspection, five people were using the service.
There was a Registered Manager at this location. 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.
Staff retention was poor at the service. We found that there was high turnover of staff due to remuneration package offered by the provider.
The registered manager had the necessary experience and skills to manage the service. They understood their role and responsibilities. They complied with their registration requirements People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management of the service. Staff told us they received the support, direction and leadership they needed.
The registered manager carried out various checks to assess the quality of care provided to people. The service worked in partnership with other organisations to improve the service.
Staff were trained to protect people from abuse. They knew the signs to recognise abuse and the procedure to report any concerns. They also knew how to escalate their concerns to external agencies if needed.
Staffing was sufficient and safe to meet people’s needs. Staff underwent a recruitment checks to ensure they were suitable before starting to work with people.
Risks to people were identified and actions put in place to minimised harm and kept people safe. People received their medicines as prescribed and the management of medicines was safe. Staff reported incidents and the registered manager put actions in place to reduce reoccurrence. Staff were trained and followed good infection control procedures.
Staff and the registered manager understood their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. 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 support this practice. People consented to their care before it was delivered.
People’s care needs were assessed following best practice guidelines. Staff were supported through effective induction, supervision, appraisal and training. People were given the support they needed to meet their dietary and nutritional requirements. People had access to health and social care services to maintain good health and their well-being. The service supported people when they moved between services to ensure their care and support were coordinated well.
People told us staff were kind, friendly and treated them with respect. Staff promoted people’s dignity and independence. People had choice about how they wanted their day-to-day care delivered and staff respected their decisions. People were supported to maintain their religious and cultural beliefs. Staff had completed training on equality and diversity.
People’s care and support was personalised to their needs. People received support from staff to meet their individual needs. People were supported to engage in the activities that they enjoyed. People were supported to socialise, learn new skills, and maintain relationship with family. People and their relatives knew how to complain about the service should they need to.