Background to this inspection
Updated
23 July 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
The inspection team was made up of one inspector and one specialist advisor. The specialist advisor was a nurse with experience of working with people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Service and service type
The Ings is a ‘care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 manager registered with CQC. 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 inspection
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 reviewed the information we had received about the service since registering with CQC. We sought feedback from each local authority that was currently commissioning the service, from Barnsley local authority safeguarding team and from Healthwatch, Barnsley. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, unit manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We spoke with eight members of staff.
We looked around the building to check environmental safety and cleanliness. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
23 July 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
The Ings is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to adults who have a learning disability or autistic people and may also have mental health needs. The service can support up to six people in six separate apartments. At the time of this inspection, there were 6 people living at The Ings.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
¿ Staff focused on people’s strengths and their skills, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life.
¿ The service worked with people to plan for when they experienced periods of distress so that their freedoms were restricted only if there was no alternative. Staff did everything they could to avoid restraining people.
¿ Staff supported people to access health and social care support in the community.
¿ People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
¿ Staff supported people with their medicines in a way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcome.
¿ Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.
¿ People received support from a consistent staff team who were knowledgeable and experienced. Any incidents or feedback was shared with staff so lessons could be learnt, and practice improved.
Right Care
¿ Staff promoted equality and diversity in their support for people. They understood people’s cultural and religious needs and provided appropriate care.
¿ People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs.
¿ Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
¿ The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
¿ Staff supported people consistently and understood their individual communication needs.
¿ People’s care records reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life.
¿ People could take part in activities and pursue interests tailored to them.
Right culture
¿ People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff could meet their needs and wishes.
¿ Staff understood best practice in a wide range of areas related with supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.
¿ People and those important to them were involved in planning and reviewing their care.
¿ People’s quality of life was enhanced by the service’s culture of improvement and inclusivity. There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.
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 20 April 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’.
We also 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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.