Claxton House

Updated 25 May 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 planned this inspection 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 inspector.

Service and service type

Claxton House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The provider was also the registered manager. This means are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We carried out the inspection visit on 20 March 2019. It was unannounced.

What we did

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR as part of the planning process for this inspection, as well as other information we held about the service, including previous reports and statutory notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) by the provider. Notifications are information on important events that happen in the home that the provider must let us know about.

During our inspection we saw how the staff interacted with people who lived at Claxton House. We spoke with four people who lived there. We spoke with one support worker, two deputy managers, the registered manager/provider, and a healthcare professional.

We looked at three people’s care records as well as other records relating to the management of the home.

Updated 25 May 2019

About the service

Claxton House is a care home that offers care and support for up to 15 people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. There were 15 people using the service at the time of our visit.

The care service was not designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. However, people were given choices and participation within the local community was encouraged.

People’s experience of using this service

• People were supported to be safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. Risk was assessed and managed. People’s human rights and freedoms were respected within the service's risk management plan.

• Routine checks and maintenance were carried out on the premises and equipment. Staff knew what to do in the event of an emergency, accident or incident.

• There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and to spend time with them. Staff were recruited in a safe way.

• People’s medicines were managed in a safe way and were reviewed by the prescribing doctor to make sure they remained effective. People had access to the healthcare services they required. Staff referred people promptly and followed the advice and guidance provided by other professionals.

• People had enough to eat and drink and were encouraged to follow a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.

• The service was spacious and met the needs of people who lived there. People’s rooms were personalised. The service was clean and tidy throughout. Staff knew how to reduce risk of cross infection. They had access to the protective equipment and cleaning products they required to achieve this.

• Staff had the training and support required to meet people’s needs. Care and support followed best practice, up to date guidelines, and legislation. Staff had opportunities to learn and develop their skills and qualifications.

• Consent to care and support was always sought in line with legislation and guidance. People were encouraged to make choices and decisions about their care and support and the things they did each day.

• Staff were kind and compassionate. People and staff had developed positive relationships. Staff were passionate and motivated about improving outcomes for people and increasing people’s skills and independence. Privacy and dignity was promoted by all staff.

• Staff knew people extremely well. They knew about the things that were important to people and the things that may cause distress. Staff knew the best way to communicate with people and how to offer support and reassurance when this was required. People led active lives and took part in culturally relevant activities in and outside of the home.

• There was a complaints procedure and people were confident speaking with staff about any concerns. People, relatives and staff were asked for their feedback and their views and opinions were listened to and acted on accordingly.

• Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. There was strong leadership and support structures in place. Managers were open, inclusive and accessible. Staff and managers shared a vision based on providing person-centred care and support and improving outcomes for people. There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and to drive improvement.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection we rated this service Good (report published on 17 June 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.