Maple House

Updated 10 November 2021

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 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Maple House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 was also registered as a domiciliary care agency to provide personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. However, this type of service was not being provided at the time of the 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about the service and sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us 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

We spoke with one person who used the service about their experience of the care they received. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, assistant manager, team leader and support worker. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence we found. We looked at further information such as quality assurance records, training data and communication records between the service and different agencies. We sought feedback from two professionals who worked closely with the service.

Updated 10 November 2021

About the service

Maple House is a residential care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to four people in one adapted building. There were four people using the service at the time of this inspection. The service specialised in the care and support of people with mental health conditions.

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

People spoke positively about the service. Systems and processes were in place to ensure staff provided people with safe care and treatment. People’s risks were identified and assessed as and when needed, and staff were provided with clear guidance. People received their medicines on time and safely. The service recruited staff in line with good practice and ensured they were given the right support so that they could form good working relationships with people.

Staff were given appropriate training to perform their roles effectively and to meet people’s needs. People had the choice to choose what they wanted to eat. Staff supported people to take part in several activities, including integrating in the community. People were listened to and had their needs reviewed by the staff team on an ongoing basis Staff assisted people to live a healthy lifestyle and accompanied them to their routine health appointments. 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.

Maple House involved people in making decisions about their own care. We observed staff treating people kindly and catered to their needs in a person-centred way. We saw positive interactions between people and staff. Staff encouraged people to be more independent by doing various tasks for themselves, such as food preparation. Systems were in place to promote effective communication in the home and to manage complaints efficiently.

The registered manager carried out regular quality checks to ensure people received good care. There was an open and inclusive culture within the home where people and staff felt comfortable to share their views. Staff worked in partnership with other healthcare agencies to improve and maintain people's quality of life.

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 15/04/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection in accordance with our monitoring approach.

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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our regulatory approach. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.