Stanway Villa

Updated 4 March 2021

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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 4 February 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 4 March 2021

About the service

Stanway Villa is a residential care home providing personal care to seven people at the time of the inspection. The service supports people who have a learning disability, who may also have an autistic spectrum disorder and/or a physical disability.

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.

The service was a larger home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to eight people. Seven were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting 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

Stanway Villa provided a homely environment and promoted a positive and inclusive culture. People received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate for them. Management and staff supported people to have maximum choice and control of their lives in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Safe recruitment practices ensured the suitability of newly appointed staff coming to work in the service. People were supported by enough staff with the right experience, training and skills to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels were flexible and supported people to follow their interests, take part in social activities and, where appropriate, education and work opportunities.

People had the support they needed to manage their anxieties n a positive way. Management and staff had worked well with other professionals to ensure people received the support they needed to stay safe.

Medication was managed safely and administered correctly. People were supported to maintain good health. They received continuing healthcare support to meet their needs and had prompt access to healthcare professionals when they became unwell. Staff promoted healthy eating. They supported people to balance choice with healthy options and people's preferences contributed to the menu planning.

People’s communication needs had been assessed and the service was meeting the requirements of the Accessible Information Standards. This set of standards sets out the specific approach for providers of health and social care to meet the communication needs of people with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.

The registered manager was knowledgeable, inspired confidence in the staff team and led by example. Quality assurance systems were robust and helped to ensure the service was of good quality, safe and continued to improve.

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 14 June 2018) and there were breaches of regulation. We received information from the provider after the last inspection telling us what they had done 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.