Br3akfree Respite Care

Updated 11 March 2022

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Br3rakfree Respite is a is a respite service. People in respite services receive accommodation and personal care on a short-term basis to provide respite to the person and their usual families or carers. 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because there was no one using the service and we wanted to be sure the registered manager would be there to meet with us.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Some people using the service were not able to vocalise their needs, so we Received feedback from relatives about the care provided to them. We spoke with two members of staff the registered manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included care records for two people, their person’s care records, including care plan, associated risk assessments and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We reviewed policies and procedures and records related to the running of the service. We spoke with a relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke briefly with a support worker.

Updated 11 March 2022

About the service

Br3rakfree Respite care is a residential care home providing personal care and short breaks. The service can support up to three people with a learning and physical disability and sensory impairment. At the time of our inspection no one was receiving respite care. The service is located in a block of flats on the second floor. It has a lift and wheelchair access at the back of the building.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

We undertook this inspection at the same time as CQC inspected a range of urgent and emergency care services in North East London. To understand the experience of social care providers and people who use social care services, we asked a range of questions in relation to accessing urgent and emergency care. The responses we received have been used to inform and support system wide feedback.

Recruitment checks were carried out, however, records were not always up to date. We found application forms were not fully completed and references inconsistent. We have made a recommendation in relation to maintaining recruitment records.

Relatives told us the service was safe and medicines were managed safely. People’s nutritional and health needs were met.

Staff received training to help them effectively carry out their role.

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.

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 statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

There was no one currently using the service. Therefore, we were not able to fully demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture. The registered manager demonstrated a commitment to people and strong person-centred values. People’s choices were respected. Part of our approach to inspecting services provided to people with a learning disability and autistic people involves observing people in their environment receiving care.

Relatives told us staff valued people’s choice, however as there was no one using the service at the time of our inspection, we were not able to observe staff demonstrating how staff delivered care in line with guidance.

Whilst systems and guidance were in place, we were unable to see these implemented by staff. Therefore, we were not able to rate all key questions.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 8 November 2019, and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the service no longer being dormant after becoming active in September 2021. Since October 2021 the service has not had any new people join the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.