Background to this inspection
Updated
3 June 2021
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 the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 20 May 2021 and was announced.
Updated
3 June 2021
24 Tower Road West 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 both were looked at during this inspection.
The care service has been developed and 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.
24 Tower Road West provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people who have learning disabilities and some associated physical and/or sensory disabilities. There were five people using the service at the time of inspection. The building was situated over two floors, with people's bedrooms located on both. Some people had their own bathrooms attached to their bedrooms and there were communal facilities for those that did not. There was a kitchen, dining-room and a large lounge for people to relax in. One person had their own self-contained flat with their own lounge, bathroom and kitchenette. People also had access to outside space. There was a large decking area with table and chairs which we saw people accessing during the inspection and garden space beyond that.
At our last inspection in November 2014, the service was rated 'Requires Improvement' with five breaches to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. During this inspection, we found significant improvements had been made and the provider is now meeting the regulations.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Since their previous inspection, significant improvements had been made to the quality and quantity of audits. However, we still found some inconsistencies within people’s care documentation which suggested quality assurance systems required some improvements. We have made a recommendation regarding this.
People were supported to be safe with person centred risk assessments. Safety checks were completed regularly by the management team and external professionals on equipment and the building. There were suitable numbers of staff to meet the needs of people and absences were covered by other staff who knew people well. People received their medicines safely from suitably trained and competent staff. Staff had a good understanding of how to protect people from potential harm and any incidents were responded to in a timely way, with actions taken to minimalize reoccurrence.
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 supported this practise.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to support people and meet all their needs. They received a thorough induction and training that ensured they were up to date with current good practise. Staff also told us they had regular supervision and appraisals to support them in their roles.
People's nutritional needs were met and they were encouraged to be as independent as possible with preparing food. People had regular support from a variety of health and social care professionals to promote their mental health and well-being.
People, their relatives and professionals spoke positively about the caring nature of staff. People's dignity, independence and privacy was promoted and encouraged. Staff knew people, their preferences and support needs well.
Care plans were detailed and person centred with an emphasis on people’s preferences and independence. Some people had specific communication needs and staff were very knowledgeable of these. People and their relatives were aware of the complaints procedure and confident any concerns would be addressed by the registered manager or provider. People had choice and control over the activities they wanted to participate in each day.
Although there were areas for improvement in records, people, staff, relatives and professionals told us they felt the service was well-led. The registered manager sought feedback from those involved with the service and used this to improve quality of care. Staff spoke highly of the support they received from the registered manager and felt that an open, transparent and supportive culture was promoted.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.