Tynedale

Updated 10 December 2022

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 how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 15 September 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 10 December 2022

About the service

Tynedale provides residential care and support for up to four people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection four people were living in 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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received a person-centred service where they were at the heart and focus of the support provided. Staff involved people and their relatives when planning support and activities. They also incorporated people’s interests when planning activities to increase the likelihood of engagement and enjoyment.

People were kept safe. Arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines. Risks were well managed. The provider learned from previous accidents and incidents to reduce future risks. Staff were confident in protecting people from abuse. Staff were recruited in a safe way and there were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs.

People’s needs were assessed before they started using the service. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions and annual appraisals. People were supported with their nutritional needs and to access a range of health care professionals. 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 practice.

Staff were respectful towards people and supported them in a dignified way. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and develop daily living skills. People received support from appropriate advocacy services, when needed.

Support plans were detailed and person-centred. People’s communication needs were detailed within support plans and staff knew how to communicate with them effectively. For example, using short sentences and pictures. The provider had a complaints procedure in place that was available in suitable formats for people. There had been no complaints received since the last inspection. Relatives knew how to raise any concerns and felt confident doing so.

The service was well-led. An effective quality assurance process was in place. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service. Staff were involved in the ongoing development and improvement of the service through regular meetings as well as daily communication. The registered manager was open and approachable to all.

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 requires improvement (published 13 February 2019) and there was one 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.