Redfern

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Systems were in place to help prevent people, staff and visitors from catching or spreading infection.

• The environment was clean. Additional cleaning was taking place, including of frequently touched surfaces. The home was well ventilated.

• Staff wore appropriate PPE and there were sufficient supplies available. The manager carried out weekly checks to ensure the service always had enough PPE for staff to access. PPE stations were in place to ensure staff had easy access. Appropriate bins were also in place to safely dispose of used PPE.

• Staff had undertaken training in putting on and taking off PPE and other COVID-19 related training such as hand hygiene and infection prevention and control.

• People were supported to keep in contact with those close to them using a range of technology and visits to the home. Some people were also supported to visit relatives and friends in their own homes.

• People and staff participated in a regular testing programme, in line with government guidance.

• Appropriate vaccination status checks were in place.

Redfern is a care home providing personal care to six people living with a learning disability or autism. The service can support up to seven people.

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 received good care; staff were supportive and caring.

People and staff told us the home was safe. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and the whistle blowing procedure. They felt confident to raise concerns if needed. Previous safeguarding concerns had been reported and thoroughly investigated.

There were enough staff to provide personalised care and enable people to fulfil what they wanted to achieve. New staff were recruited safely.

People received their medicines when they were due. Incidents and accidents were monitored to help keep people safe and learn lessons. Health and safety checks and risk assessments were completed to help maintain a safe environment.

Staff received good support and the training they needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care services.

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's needs had been fully assessed including considering people’s protected characteristics. This was used to develop detailed and personalised care plans.

People were supported to participate in activities of interest to them; they also regularly accessed their local community.

Staff felt the home was well managed. There were regular opportunities for people and staff to share their views. Quality assurance checks were effective in identifying areas for improvement.

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 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 22 April 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.

At the last inspection in October 2014, the service was rated 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good'.

People were kept safe from avoidable harm and staff understood the process to follow to safeguard people if they needed to report any concerns. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and prevent harm. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies, around administering medication, were regularly checked. Appropriate checks of the building and maintenance systems were undertaken to ensure health and safety was maintained.

There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people who used the service. Staff provided people with the support they needed and with visits out in the community. There was a system in place to ensure that new staff had the appropriate skills and experience and were of good character.

People were supported by a consistent team of staff who were knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. A comprehensive training plan was in place and all staff had completed up to date training. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were able to make decisions about their day to day care. Staff supported people to maintain their health and attend routine health care appointments.

Care plans detailed people’s needs and preferences and were person-centred. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information that was meeting people’s care needs. People were actively involved in care planning and decision making. People who used the service had access to a wide range of activities and leisure opportunities. The service had a clear process for handling complaints.

The registered manager promoted a positive, person-centred culture and was committed to making continued improvements to the delivery of care. Regular audits were carried out to identify areas for improvement.

We observed the interactions between staff and people who lived at Redfern. We saw people moved freely around the home, made their own day-to-day decisions and were supported by staff where necessary.

People we spoke with made positive comments about the care they received. Comments included, 'It is ok here.' 'I am learning how to do things for myself.' 'The staff are nice and kind.'

We found that care/support plans provided staff with the information they needed to meet people's needs.

We saw that people had access to equipment they needed, which was safe to use and appropriately maintained.

People's needs were met by sufficient staff and appropriate skill mix.

Records were accessible to staff and had been stored securely.

People told us they were able to make their own day to day decisions and lifestyle choices and were treated with dignity and respect by the staff.

We found that people had their needs assessed and that care plans were in place. All the people we spoke with were very satisfied with the service they received.

People were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink.

The environment was generally clean however some areas of the home were in need of repair and redecoration.

There were appropriate arrangements in place for the recruitment of staff.

There was a complaints procedure in place and this was accessible to people.