Archived: Brockenhurst

Updated 5 August 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Brockenhurst is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Brockenhurst is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave a short period notice of the inspection. This was to give the registered manager needed ime to prepare people for our visit and help reduce any anxiety it may cause.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they were first registered with CQC. We sought feedback from the local authority and we used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We received feedback from three people about their experience of the support they received. We spoke with three staff, the registered manager, deputy head of services and clinical nurse specialist.

We reviewed three people's care and support plans, medicine administrations records for two people, recruitment records for three staff and a range of other records relating to the overall running of the service.

Updated 5 August 2022

About the service

Brockenhurst is a residential care home that provides care and support to up to five people aged between 16 and 20 with complex mental health needs. At the time of our inspection, four people were living at the service.

People's experience of using the service and what we found

The provider's therapeutic approach to risk management enabled people to recognise and manage their own mental health and any risks that may cause harm to themselves or others. This framework of support was built around an ethos of giving young people with complex mental health needs the ability to live in the community and develop essential life skills and independence.

Risk management plans were created with the involvement of each person and provided both staff and people with detailed guidance about how to manage risks safely and effectively. People received their medicines at the right times and regular medication reviews were completed to ensure people's prescribed medicines remained appropriate for their health needs.

There were enough staff on duty to support people safely and those employed by the service had undergone detailed recruitment checks to make sure they were suitable for the role. Staff had received safeguarding training and people told us they felt safe and well-supported.

Detailed reviews were completed with people following incidents to help them reflect and learn and make any necessary changes to the support they received. The registered manager analysed incidents to look for patterns and trends to help identify triggers and prevent incidents occurring in the future.

Staff had access to information and guidance about infection prevention and control and were observed where the correct PPE. Regular cleaning tasks were completed by staff with the involvement of people living in the home to help develop skills and independence. We have offered some guidance in

relation to this to ensure the home remains clean and hygienic.

A thorough assessment and transition process was followed before people moved in to the home to make sure staff were able to meet their needs safely and effectively. This assessment process took into consideration people already living in the home; including their needs, behaviors, risks and personalities.

The provider's internal multi-disciplinary team meant people had access to regular support from a range of health professionals; including clinical nurse specialist, consultant psychiatrist and psychologist. Routine reviews were completed with people to make sure their care and support remained relevant to their needs.

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.

People spoke positively about the staff and the support they received. Positive relationships had been developed between staff and people and it was evident staff knew people well and how to support them during incidents of crisis. People were supported and encouraged to develop essential life skills and independence.

People were integral to the care planning process and received support that was person-centred and based on their individual needs and preferences. This included supporting them to maintain healthy relationships with those important to them and support accessing the community and educational settings.

The registered manager promoted a culture that was person-centred and focused on empowering people to manage their own risks and be as independent as possible. People spoke positively about their experiences of living at Brockenhurst and the overall service they received. Staff told us they enjoyed working for the service and supporting the people who lived there.

Robust governance systems ensured that continuous learning was taken and improvements made to people's care and support. People and staff were given regular opportunities to share their views and be involved in any changes or improvements to the service.

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 25 September 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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, which will help inform when we next inspect.