Elizabeth House

Updated 25 April 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspection manager

Service and service type:

Elizabeth House is one of eight separate residential care homes within the Purley Park Trust Estate. Elizabeth House provides personal care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities and associated conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our inspection there were seven people living in the home. The Purley Park Trust consists of a cul de sac of seven other houses operated by the same provider in a housing estate close to Reading. There is also a domiciliary care service operated from another location offering support to people in their own homes. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. 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 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:

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did:

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection in June 2016. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about. We used information the provider sent us in their Provider Information Return. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection we spoke with two people living at the service. We spoke with two members of staff, the registered manager and the deputy manager. We reviewed three people’s care and support records and two staff files. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such as incident and accident records, meeting minutes, recruitment and training records, policies, audits and complaints.

Updated 25 April 2019

About the service: Elizabeth House is a residential care home. It provides personal care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities and associated conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of the inspection there were eight people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told or indicated to us that they felt safe and were happy living in Elizabeth House. The house was sociable with a calm, engaging atmosphere.

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 in the following ways:

• People were involved in planning their care.

• People were supported to follow their interests, set goals and increase their independence.

• People had good access to their local community and opportunities to meet people and were supported to maintain relationships with friends and family.

People were supported by a consistent team of staff who were kind and caring. Staff had good relationships with people and knew them well.

Staff had good knowledge of people’s condition, their needs, and how to support them appropriately. Care plans were person centred and gave clear guidance on how people wished to be supported with their diverse needs. Significant work had been done to ensure that the service was responsive to people’s needs. When significant decisions had been made, all people living in the service had been considered. This was continually under review to ensure that the service continued to meet the needs of everyone. People’s support and social needs were known and staff worked hard with the people to ensure that all of their needs were explored and met.

There was clear leadership and an open culture where staff and people could raise concerns or issues. The service had values which the staff worked to.

Rating at last inspection: Good (June 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue our on-going monitoring of the service and all information we receive. We will use this information to determine when we next inspect the service.

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