Background to this inspection
Updated
2 April 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 carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Monro Avenue 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 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 announced.
We gave short 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
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 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and carried out general observations of staff interactions with people using the service. We spoke with two relatives, four members of staff including the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and 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.
Updated
2 April 2020
About the service
Monro Avenue is a residential care home providing personal care to people with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder. People are accommodated in two detached houses next door to each other. The service can support up to 14 people and at the time of the inspection fourteen people were using the service.
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.
The building design fitted into the residential area and the other domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe, risks were assessed, monitored and well managed. Staff knew how to report concerns when people’s safety and wellbeing was at risk. Staffing levels met people’s personalised care needs. Staff followed good practice guidelines to prevent the spread of infection and the home was clean and tidy. People’s medicines were managed safely.
People’s dietary needs were met, and healthy eating was promoted. Staff ensured people's healthcare needs were met. Staff were alert and responsive to any changes in people's needs and liaised with health care professionals.
Staff training was tailored to meet people's individual needs and the provider recognised that the on-going development of staff skills, competence and knowledge was central to ensuring high-quality care and support. Staff received regular, useful and engaging supervision from senior staff members. The staff appraisal system ensured that all staff were working to the same vision and values as the provider.
People were supported by staff who knew them well. Care was personalised according to people's support needs and preferences. People’s independence and social engagement was promoted. Staff supported people to take part in activities and hobbies of their choice. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with family, friends and partners. People experienced positive outcomes and were empowered to make choices about their lives. Staff spoke with pride about supporting people to live fulfilling lives.
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.
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.
The manager and area manager completed audits to monitor the quality of the service. The service put improvements in place when needed. People, relatives and staff were supported to feedback about the service and the service linked and worked well with other organisations. The leadership, management and governance of the service assured the delivery of high quality, person-centred care. The staff understood the vision and values of the provider and these made sure people were at the heart of the service.
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 August 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.