Care at Stennings

Updated 14 February 2020

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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Care at Stennings 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 service had two managers 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. Some people could not talk with us, so we spent time observing their interactions with staff. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two 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 spoke with two people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four health and social care professionals about their involvement with the service.

Updated 14 February 2020

About the service

Care at Stennings is a residential care home providing personal care to seven people living with a learning disability. The service can support up to eight people. Accommodation is provided in two houses which are linked together with a conservatory.

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

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.

People told us they felt safe. Staff had training in safeguarding and understood how to report any concerns about people’s safety and wellbeing. Risks to people were understood, assessed and appropriately monitored. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. People were supported to take their medicines safely. Infection prevention and control was well managed. When things went wrong, lessons were learnt, and steps taken to prevent reoccurrence.

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 and choices were assessed and planned for. Staff were supported with induction, training and supervision to ensure they had the right skills to support people. People were supported to eat a health balanced diet. Staff worked with other agencies to ensure that people lead healthier lives.

People were treated with kindness and care. People made choices about their day to day support and were encouraged to express their views. People’s privacy and dignity was respected. People were encouraged to maintain and develop their independence.

People received personalised care from staff who knew them well. People’s communication needs were understood and supported. People took part in a range of activities and were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. People and their families felt confident to complain if needed.

Staff were proud to work for the service and felt well supported by the registered manager. People, their relatives and staff’s views had been sought and used to further develop the service. Quality assurance checks supported the service to continuously learn and improve. Staff worked in partnership with other professionals.

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 Requires Improvement (published 22 January 2019) and there was a breach 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.

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.