Valley Road - Resource Centre

Updated 26 February 2019

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 inspection took place on 10 January 2019 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector. Following the inspection site visit we contacted two relatives to gain their views on the service provided.

As part of planning our inspection, we contacted the local authority safeguarding and quality performance teams and the local Healthwatch to obtain their views about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer group, which gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

We reviewed information we held about the service, including the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to tell us about within required timescales.

The provider had been requested to send us a Provider Information Return (PIR) and had returned this within required timescales. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help plan this inspection.

During the inspection site visit we spoke with two people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, two team leaders and two support staff.

We reviewed three people’s care plans, risk assessments and daily records. We checked the arrangements in place for managing medicines and recording of complaints. We looked at two staff’s recruitment, induction, supervision and appraisal records. We looked at a selection of records relating to the management of the service which included training records, meeting minutes and audits.

Updated 26 February 2019

Inspection site visit took place on 10 January 2019 and was unannounced. At the time of this inspection, the service was providing support to five people.

Valley Road – Resource Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Valley Road – Resource Centre is situated in Northallerton. The home provides respite care and support for up to seven people whose main needs are associated with a learning disability. At the time of this inspection only six bedrooms were in use.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and these had been followed. Staff had a thorough understanding of the different types of abuse and action they should take to report any concerns. People told us they felt safe.

Safe recruitment processes had been followed and new staff completed an induction to the service. Staff received appropriate training and support to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles.

Risk management plans were in place and contained relevant information to enable staff and people to manage risks safely. These had been regularly reviewed and updated when changes occurred. Servicing certificates were in place where required. Accidents and incidents had been recorded and action was taken to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

People’s medicines had been stored and administered safely. The service was clean and tidy throughout and staff followed good infection control practices.

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 observed to gain consent before providing support to people.

People selected meals of their choice. Staff were familiar with people’s preferences and supported people to eat out in the community if they wished. People were encouraged and supported to attend their regular day care provisions.

People had access to health professionals when required. Care records clearly recorded other professionals who were involved in people’s care and support. Care plans contained person-centred information which included people’s communication needs.

People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring in their approach. Staff were familiar with people’s likes, dislikes and preferences and treated people with dignity and respect.

Systems to monitor and improve the service were in place. People and relatives were asked to provide regular feedback on the service provided to encourage continuous improvement. A complaints policy and procedure were in place and available in easy read.

Staff told us management were open, honest and approachable. Staff received regular support from the registered manager and regular staff meetings had taken place to ensure staff were kept up to date with any changes or concerns.

Further information is in the detailed findings below