Background to this inspection
Updated
31 August 2019
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.
Inspection team
One inspector, carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
Redlands is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for adults with learning disabilities.
People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a registered manager. This means that when registered 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 had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The registered manager and provider were working closely with the local authority commissioners on improving the quality of the service.
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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spent time with people living at the service. We spoke with two people who used the service, one relative, an area manager, the registered manager, and two care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. These included two people’s care records and two medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at training, audits, reports from external professionals and policies.
Updated
31 August 2019
About the service
Redlands is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care. The home accommodates up to five people in one house. At the time of our inspection five people with learning disabilities were living at the home.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People said they were happy living at Redlands. They told us they enjoyed leading independent lives and had positive relationships with their peers and staff team.
People received person centred support and staff knew people very well. Care plans were in place, but people had three different care files? each which was confusing. We have made a recommendation that plans need to be reduced and improved across the Cygnet company.
People were supported to build and maintain important personal relationships that mattered to them, with their partners, peers and relatives and at times using technology such as Skype.
The provider had systems in place for communicating with staff, people and their relatives to ensure they were fully informed via team meetings, phone calls and emails. People had good links to the local community through regular access to local services.
People were supported to be independent, their rights were respected and access to advocacy was regularly available. Support was provided in a way that put the people and their preferences first. Information was readily available for people in the correct format for them, including easy read.
The environment was very clean and homely. The décor was personalised in people’s bedrooms and also in communal areas where people chose the colour schemes and helped to decorate.
Audits and monitoring systems were used effectively to manage the service and to make improvements as and when required.
Medicines were managed well, safely administered and recorded accurately.
There were enough staff to support people and staff were always visible. Staff received support and a variety of appropriate training to meet people’s needs.
Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident to raise concerns appropriately to safeguard people. Robust recruitment and selection procedures reduced the risk of unsuitable staff being employed.
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 supported this practice.
Appropriate healthcare professionals were included in people’s care and support as and when this was needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink also people who need specialist diets were assisted with these. .
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 13 April 2017).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the registered provider and the handling of safeguarding concerns. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.