Meadow Brook

Updated 4 September 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection which was carried out on 7 August 2018 and was announced. It was carried out by one adult social care inspector. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure someone would be available. We also needed to gain people’s permission to visit them in their own home.

Prior to the inspection the provider submitted a provider information return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and the improvements they plan to make. We looked at statutory notifications sent in by the service. A statutory notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law. We looked at previous inspection reports and other information we held about the service before we visited. We contacted Healthwatch and local commissioners to seek their views on the service provided. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion, which promotes the views and experiences of people who use health and social care services. No concerns were raised. We used this information to help plan the inspection.

During our visit we met with five people who used the service and we spoke with two relatives on the telephone. We met with the registered manager, the provider’s nominated individual and five members of staff.

We looked at a sample of records relating to the running of the home and the care of individuals. These included the care records for three people who used the service. We also looked at records relating to the management and administration of people’s medicines, health and safety and quality assurance. We checked two staff recruitment files and staff training and supervision records.

Updated 4 September 2018

Meadow Brook provides care and support to up to 20 people living in nine supported living settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

At our last inspection in October 2015 we rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were supported by adequate numbers of staff who were able to meet their needs in a safe way. Risks were well managed which meant people could live their lives with reduced risks to themselves or others. Staff knew how to protect people from the risk of harm or abuse and the provider’s procedures made sure staff were safe to work with people before they were offered employment. People received their medicines when they needed them and medicines were safely managed by staff. Staff followed procedures which helped to ensure people were protected from the risk of the spread of infection.

People were supported by a staff team who had the skills, knowledge and training to meet their needs. Staff understood how to ensure people’s rights were respected. 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 support this practice. People were supported to eat well in accordance with their needs and preferences. People’s health and well-being were regularly monitored.

Staff were kind, caring and compassionate and they ensured people felt valued and respected. People were supported to plan their day in accordance with their needs and preferences. Staff communicated with people in accordance with their needs and abilities which helped people make an informed decision. People were supported to maintain contact with the important people in their lives.

People received a service which was based on their individual needs and preferences. People were involved in planning and reviewing the care and support they received. Staff helped people to take part in their chosen activities and also provided other opportunities such as holidays and visiting places of interest. People’s religious views and preferences were understood and respected by staff. People knew they could complain if they were unhappy about any aspect of the care and support they received. Information had been produced in a format which people could understand. Procedures were in place to ensure people’s preferences and wishes during the end of their life and following death were understood and respected by staff.

The management of the service made people, their relatives and staff feel valued and respected. There were effective systems in place which monitored the quality of the service provided. The skills, training and competency of the staff team were regularly monitored which helped to ensure people were supported by staff who could understand and meet their needs. The management and staff team worked effectively with other health and social care organisations to achieve better outcomes for people and improve quality and safety. There was an open and honest culture, admitting when things went wrong and learning from mistakes. The provider and registered manager understood their legal responsibilities and worked in accordance with these.

Further information is in the detailed findings below