Kenneth House

Updated 13 December 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

Kenneth House 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

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included the statutory notifications the provider had sent to CQC. A notification includes information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spoke with five people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff, as well as the registered manager, assistant manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed. This included policies and procedures, quality assurance and health and safety documents.

We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. The registered manager provided additional information and policies. We spoke with three relatives to find out more about their experience of the care provided at Kenneth House. We received feedback from three professionals who had contact with the service. Their comments have been incorporated into this report.

Updated 13 December 2019

About the service

Kenneth House is care home located in a large Victorian house in a busy and well-connected part of Bristol. The service provides support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions or additional needs. Six people were living there at the time of the 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 told us they felt well treated and supported at Kenneth House and relatives were positive about the care and support their loved ones received.

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm or abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities and received regular training to ensure people were safe. Where risks had been identified, assessments were in place and action was taken to manage risks where possible. This included risks relating to fire and infection control issues.

People were supported by enough staff and there were no staff vacancies. Staff were safely recruited, and people were involved in this process. Staff were competent in carrying out their role, and they felt supported by their colleagues, the registered manager and the provider.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Staff received training to ensure they were competent in administering and managing medicines. Some checks required more consistent completion, although risks to people was low.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet which met their needs and preferences. People had access to routine and specialist healthcare services. Staff worked with other agencies and professionals to ensure people received effective care which met their needs.

The service continued to provide a high standard of person-centred care. People’s needs and preferences were assessed and informed care plans. Care plans were regularly reviewed and gave guidance to staff about what people could do for themselves and how best to provide support. People’s capacity for making particular decisions was assessed. People were supported to have choice and control in 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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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 now focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

The staff we saw were positive and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to participate in meaningful activities and maintain and develop relationships with friends and families.

We received positive feedback about the registered manager. They demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to people, staff and the service. The management team was open and transparent when lessons could be learned, or improvements made in the service. Systems were in place to monitor and review quality and performance, and actions were taken when shortfalls were identified.

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 (report published 12 June 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.