Cambridge Road

Updated 14 June 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection.

The inspection took place on 22 May 2018 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because this was a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

The inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We checked the information that we held about the service and the service provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We used all of this information to plan how the inspection should be conducted.

During the inspection we used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who lived at Cambridge Road. This was because the people who lived there communicated in different ways and we were not able to directly ask some of them about their experiences. We were able to talk with one person who lived in the home and a relative who was visiting. We spent a short time observing the support provided to help us understand people's experiences of the service. Our observations showed people appeared relaxed and at ease with the staff. We spoke with two staff in detail including the registered manager and a support worker.

We observed some support in communal areas, viewed three care files for the people living at Cambridge Road, three staff recruitment files, staff training records, medication administration record (MAR) sheets and other records relating to how the home was managed.

Updated 14 June 2018

People we spoke with told us that they felt that staff supported them when they needed it. We saw through people's body language that people were comfortable with the staff.

There were robust measures in place to ensure people were safe. Risk assessments were in place specific to their individual needs and any behaviour they may present. They included detailed guidance for staff so people could be supported appropriately. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults from abuse and knew what to do if they saw or suspected abuse.

There was sufficient staff on duty to meet people's needs. Some people required staff support to access the community and take part in activities.

Staff had been appropriately recruited to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults. We found that staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to support people effectively and safely. Staff were supported by the manager through regular supervisions, annual appraisal and regular training. Staff meetings were held regularly.

Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff had been trained to administer medicines in order to ensure errors were kept to a minimum.

We found the home clean with no odours. The home was well maintained and in good decorative order. People's bedrooms were personalised.

Regular checks and tests, such as gas, electricity, water safety, fire drills, weekly fire alarm tests and external checks of fire fighting equipment, were completed to maintain safety in the home.

People's needs were assessed and reviewed regularly to reflect people's current health and support needs. Appointments were made regularly for the GP, dentist and optician to help to maintain good health. We saw that people were supported to achieve their outcomes.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. We saw that people were encouraged to eat healthily and adopt an active lifestyle.

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. People made decisions and choices in relation to their care, support received, daily routines and any activities they wished to take part in. Staff knew the people well and how they communicated their needs and choices, including their preferred daily routine.

People were supported to be as independent as possible in many aspects of their lives, including travelling, meal preparation, shopping and laundry. Staff spoke positively about people's independence and their achievements.

Clear records of people's daily routines helped to ensure staff supported people according to their preference. The use of a 'visual planner' provided reassurance for which staff were supporting a person each day.

Visitors were free to come to the home and see their family member when they wanted and people were supported to maintain contact with their families.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Care plans were written for the individual and informed staff of their preferences and wishes. We found they contained detailed information that enabled staff to meet people's needs. Support plans were completed to show the goals people wanted to achieve.

People in the home enjoyed a range of activities, with staff support. People accessed the community to enjoy amenities such as pub lunches, shopping, swimming, museums, and gardening.

There was a complaints policy in place but no complaints had been received since the last inspection in 2016. The policy was displayed in the home.

There was a person-centred and open culture in the home. Staff showed a commitment to provide support which achieved good outcomes for the people living in the home.

Quality assurance audits were completed by support staff and senior care staff which included, medication and health and safety.

There was a process completed annually where relatives had the opportunity to voice their opinions about the service. However all relatives had close relationships with staff and contacted the home regularly. Any issues that arose were quickly sorted out. Staff and relatives were in regular contact by telephone to keep them updated.

There was a registered manager in the home. They were supported by a senior support worker and an area manager. The registered manager and registered provider met their legal requirements with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They had submitted notifications and the ratings from the last inspection were clearly displayed in the home.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.