Archived: Cavendish Road

Updated 10 October 2014

We inspected Cavendish Road on 8 July 2014. This was an unannounced inspection which meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting. The inspection was led by a single Adult Social Care inspector.

Before we visited the home we checked the information that we held about the service and the service provider. No concerns had been raised and the service met the regulations we inspected against at their last inspection which took place on 16 September 2013.

During our inspection we observed how the staff interacted with people who used the service. We looked at how people were supported during their lunch. We also reviewed four care records, staff training records, and records relating to the management of the service such as audits and policies.

We spoke with three people who used the service and relatives of three people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager and three care workers. We contacted healthcare professionals involved in caring for people who used the service, including social workers, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists. The provider also completed a Provider Information Return (PIR) which is a report that providers sent to us under Regulation 10(3) of the Activities Regulations setting out how they are meeting the requirements of Regulation 10(1).

This report was written during the testing phase of our new approach to regulating adult social care services. After this testing phase, inspection of consent to care and treatment, restraint, and practice under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) was moved from the key question ‘Is the service safe?’ to ‘Is the service effective?’

The ratings for this location were awarded in October 2014. They can be directly compared with any other service we have rated since then, including in relation to consent, restraint, and the MCA under the ‘Effective’ section. Our written findings in relation to these topics, however, can be read in the ‘Is the service safe’ sections of this report.’

Updated 10 October 2014

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, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.  There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection.  A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Cavendish Road is a home for up to nine people with learning disabilities. It is located in Balham, close to amenities and with good transport links. The inspection was unannounced.

People using the service were protected from abuse because the provider had taken steps to minimise the risk of abuse. Decisions related to peoples care were taken in consultation with people using the service, their next of kin and other healthcare professionals which ensured their rights were protected.

There were enough staff available at the service and staffing levels were determined according to people’s individual needs. We saw that extra staff were provided where people’s needs had changed and they required extra support.

Staff received training that was relevant in supporting people with learning disabilities. Staff were supported through strong links with community healthcare professionals to ensure people received effective care relating to their diet and their ongoing healthcare needs.

There was a friendly, relaxed atmosphere at the home. People told us they enjoyed living there and their relatives told us that staff were caring and compassionate. People were able to take part in activities that they enjoyed and they received support from staff if required.

Where people using the service lacked capacity to understand certain decisions related to their care and treatment, best interest meetings were held which involved family members, independent mental capacity advocates, and social workers.

The registered manager at the home was familiar with all of the people living there and staff felt supported by the management team.  Regular staff and residents meetings were held by the service.