Background to this inspection
Updated
15 November 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 checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Vicarage is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. 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 that 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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and three care staff. We observed how staff engaged with people to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with four professionals who regularly visit the service.
Updated
15 November 2019
About the service
The Vicarage is a care home which provides short term respite breaks for up to five adults with learning and/or a physical disability. There were three people staying at the home on the day of our inspection.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe when they stayed at The Vicarage. People’s relatives told us they had no concerns about safety. People were supported by a stable and familiar staff team.
Staff told us they felt suitably trained and supported to carry out their role. They knew how to escalate any concerns and were aware of people’s personal risks when providing support to them.
Most people's needs were assessed before they used the service to ensure their needs could be met. Staff tried to gain as much information as possible for people who were admitted to the home in an emergency. People’s care plans reflected their support needs, risks and emotional and social support requirements. 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 and relatives told us staff were compassionate and caring. We observed staff encouraging people to be independent. They protected people’s privacy and treated them with dignity and respect.
People, relatives and staff continued to think that the home was managed well. The registered and deputy managers were described as approachable and caring. Systems were in place to monitor the delivery of the service, manage concerns and complaints. Sufficient numbers of staff were made available to meet the needs of people.
The managers and staff worked collaboratively with health care professionals, other services and relatives to ensure there was a consistent approach in the care of people. People received their medicines as prescribed and were referred to health care services as needed.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good. (published 18 May 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.