Burnt Ash Hill Aurora Options

Updated 27 March 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 checked 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 was carried out on the 8 February 2018. The inspection was unannounced and carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we looked at the information we held about the service including notifications they had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. The provider also completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR also provides data about the organisation and service. We used this information to help inform our inspection planning.

We spoke with four people who used the service, three members of staff and the registered manager. We looked at records, including three people’s care records, staff recruitment and training records and records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 27 March 2018

The Aurora Options - 94 Burnt Ash Hill is a residential care home that provides accommodation and care for up to six people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection the home was providing care and support to six people. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At our last inspection of this service on 02 November 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. The home demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards.

The home had a registered manager in post. They were knowledgeable about the requirements of a registered manager and their responsibilities with regard to the Health and Social Care Act 2014.

There were safeguarding and whistle blowing procedures in place and staff had a clear understanding of these procedures. We observed and people and staff told us there was always enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Appropriate recruitment checks were carried out before staff started working at the home. People were receiving their medicines as prescribed by health care professionals.

Staff had the knowledge and skills required to meet people’s needs. Action was taken to assess any risks to people. People’s needs were assessed and care plans included detailed information and guidance for staff about how their needs should be met. People were encouraged to eat healthy meals and to cook for themselves. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and acted according to this legislation. Staff monitored people’s mental and physical health and where there were concerns people were referred to appropriate health professionals.

People’s care records included communication profiles that recorded their specific methods of communicating with staff. It was evident that staff knew people well and communicated with them effectively. People were supported to engage in relationships, practice their religion, attend their places of worship and enjoy aspects of their cultural background. Care records were person centred and included people’s views about how they wished to be supported. The home had a complaints procedure in place and this was available in a format that people could understand.

The provider recognised the importance of regularly monitoring the quality of the service they provided to people. The registered manager and staff worked effectively with other organisations to ensure staff followed best practice. They took into account the views of people and their relatives through surveys and residents meetings. Staff said they enjoyed working at the home and they received good support from the registered manager.