The S.T.A.R. Foundation

Updated 11 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.

We received information of concern about visiting arrangements and staffing at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has 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 31 January 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 11 February 2022

About the service

The S.T.A.R. Foundation, locally known as Astrum House is a specialist residential and nursing home providing support for up to 60 people. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service. The service provides support for people with a learning disability, autistic people, mental health and people with a physical disability. Some people using the service were living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We found the provider had taken reasonable steps to improve the service. There had been some changes in the management team, and they were beginning to establish and lead the service. The current manager had not yet registered with CQC but had started the application process. Systems in place to monitor the service had improved but had not always identified areas of concern and therefore required further embedding into practice.

Risks associated with people’s care and support had been identified. However, risk assessments and care planning documentation were sometimes conflicting and did not always contain the most up to date information.

The service was predominantly clean, and people were protected from the risk and spread of infections. However, some areas of the home required some maintenance work to enable them to be cleaned more effectively.

Sufficient staff were available to meet people’s need in a timely way. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Staff confirmed they received training in this subject and could explain what action they would take if they suspected abuse taking place.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced diet which included their choices and preferences.

We observed staff interacting with people who used the service and found they were kind, caring and considerate. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. However, while staff were caring they did not always support people to maintain their independence.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

This service was predominantly able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support:

• The provider had identified the model of care and setting at The S.T.A.R. Foundation was not always suitable for people with a learning disability. This was due to the size and layout of the building. The provider was aware of this and was considering how they could improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. However, people were still able to access community facilities and had links with the local community and shops.

Right care:

• Care was predominantly person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People were supported with social stimulation. However, people’s involvement in daily living skills was not always encouraged to enable independence.

Right culture:

• Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff did not always ensure people using the service were leading confident, inclusive and empowered lives. People were not always supported to develop new skills to enable them to live enhanced lives.

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

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 9 November 2020) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 9 November 2020. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

We 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.