Background to this inspection
Updated
12 February 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 25 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
12 February 2022
About the service:
Conway House is a care home that is registered to provide care and accommodation to people who need support as they have needs related to learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were eight people living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service: People and their relatives told us they felt safe with staff. Staff could tell us how they should keep people safe and minimise identified risks to their safety.
People were supported by staff that we saw were caring and expressed interest in people who lived at Conway House. People we saw received good care and support that was based on their individual needs and preferences. Whilst care records were not always accurately documented, staff were knowledgeable about people, their needs and preferences and we saw they had a good relationship with the people.
People were supported by care staff who had a range of skills and knowledge to meet their needs, although there were some areas where training updates were needed to refresh their knowledge. The registered manager was aware of and planned to provide these updates. Staff understood, felt confident and well supported in their role, although there was an inconsistent approach to formal staff supervision. People's health was supported as staff worked with other health care providers to ensure people’s healthcare needs were met.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff understood that they should support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People's care plans with limited exception reflected people’s needs and preferences but the staff and registered manager could explain any recent changes to people’s care or gaps in records. Where there was changes staff knew how they should provide care to ensure people were safe, their needs were met, and preferences respected.
People’s representatives knew how to complain. Relatives and staff knew how to identify and respond if people were unhappy with the service. People told us they had no complaints, although where concerns had been raised the provider had responded appropriately and met with people face to face, with the involvement of other professionals to try and reach a suitable conclusion for all parties.
People, relatives and staff gave a positive picture as to the quality of care people received and said the registered manager and staff were approachable. People and relatives said staff would listened and responded to any concerns they had.
Quality monitoring systems were in place but were not always effective or comprehensive however. The registered manager was aware of this shortcoming and told us they would make the necessary improvements.
Please see the detailed findings for more information
Rating at last inspection: The rating for the service at our last inspection was ‘requires improvement’ (Published on 09 December 2017).
Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection that was due based on our scheduling targets.
Enforcement:
No enforcement action was required.
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.