Potensial Limited - 23 Elm Road

Updated 20 December 2019

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Potential Limited - 23 Elm Road 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.

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.

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available. We also needed to be sure that people using the service were prepared for our visit to reduce any potential anxiety that may have been caused.

What we did before the inspection

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 the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two family members to ask about their experiences and views of the care their relatives received. We spoke with three staff members, deputy and registered manager. We made observations throughout both days of the inspection to see how care and support was delivered. We reviewed a range of records; this included people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four 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 20 December 2019

About the service

Potential Limited – 23 Elm Road North is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to up to six adults with a learning disability and/or autism. There were four people receiving care and support at the time of our inspection.

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

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

Family members were confident their relatives were safe and well looked after by staff at the service. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm. Risks to people had been assessed and those identified were managed safely by competent staff. Where people required support with medication this was managed safely and in line with best practice guidance.

People’s individual needs had been holistically assessed and plans of care provided clear guidance for staff to support people to achieve effective outcomes. People had regular access to health and social care professionals to ensure their needs were met and staff followed guidance where appropriate. Staff supported and encouraged people to participate in the shopping for food and the planning and preparation of meals to help develop independence.

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.

Consent for care was not always obtained in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Where people lacked the capacity to make complex decisions about their care and support, consent had been obtained from people not legally authorised to do so.

We made a recommendation regarding this.

Family members spoke positively about the caring approach of the staff team and how well they knew their relative’s needs. Positive relationships had been developed between staff and people using the service. Staff were observed to be kind, caring and respectful towards people and it was clear positive relationships had been developed.

Staff were motivated to deliver care and support that was person-centred and based on people’s needs and preferences. People were supported to access a range of social activities that were based on their interests and goals. Activities were used as a way to help develop independence, skills and healthy living. Staff supported and encouraged people to maintain relationships with those close to them.

The leadership of the service promoted person-centred care and a positive culture within the staff team. Positive comments had been received by family members, staff and external organisations regarding the registered manager and the running of the service. Effective quality assurance systems supported with the continuous learning and development 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 (report published 20 April 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.