64 Chilcompton Road

Updated 30 June 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 was planned to check whether the provider was 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 comprehensive inspection took place on 20 May 2018 and was unannounced. One adult social care inspector carried out this inspection. Prior to the inspection, we reviewed the information we had about the home, including notifications of events the service is required by law to send us.

Over the course of the inspection we spent time in Base House (64 Chilcompton Road) speaking with one person who used the service and two members of staff. We looked around the home and spent time with the person using the service in the lounge, the dining area, the kitchen and the bedroom they were staying in. We observed how staff interacted with this person throughout the inspection and spent time with them over the breakfast period. We then also spent time in the head office, situated a few minutes’ drive away, where we spoke with one of the registered managers. Following our inspection we received written feedback about the service by four relatives.

As there was only one person using the service at the time of our inspection and this person was able to clearly talk to us about their experience we did not conduct a SOFI during this inspection. SOFI (Short Observational Framework for Inspection) is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who are unable to talk to us. We did, however, use the principles of SOFI when conducting observations around the home.

We looked at the ways in which medicines were managed, the ways in which meals were prepared and served. We reviewed in detail the care provided to three people who regularly used the service, looking at their files and other records. We reviewed information about staff recruitment processes and other records relating to the operation of the service, such as risk assessments, complaints, accidents and incidents, policies and procedures.

Updated 30 June 2018

64 Chilcompton Road is a residential care home which provides a respite service for up to three people at a time. 64 Chilcompton Road is known to the people who use it and staff as ‘Base House’ and we shall refer to it this way in this report. Base House provides an opportunity for people with a learning disability to further develop their independent living and personal skills in a safe environment with the view of moving on to supported living. On the day of our inspection there was one person staying at Base House who was available for us to talk to.

At the last inspection in April 2016 the service was rated Good overall. 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. Key questions continued to be rated Good and one had improved its rating to Outstanding. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated Good.

The people who stayed at Base House and used the service were provided with high quality, safe and caring support which was exceptionally responsive. People received highly personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences. There was an excellent understanding of seeing each person as an individual, with their own social needs. People came to stay at Base House for respite on a regular basis. During the inspection there was only one person staying at the service but we based our judgements on the support and care provided to them and others who received regular support.

Base House focussed on wellbeing and ensuring people had a sense of purpose. The aim of the service was to provide respite but also to help people further develop their independent living skills with a view towards moving on to supported living. People had been asked about their individual aspirations, such as moving into their own flat, learning to cook more Italian meals or getting a paid job. Staff then worked with people to create plans of action in order to work towards each aspiration. One person spoke to us about and others wrote about their achievements and relatives commented how much their loved one had learnt during their time at the service.

Staff demonstrated to us they cared strongly about people’s wellbeing in every aspect of their lives and worked towards improving each person’s happiness and wellbeing. Staff promoted people’s equality, diversity and ensured their human rights were upheld. Staff spoke confidently to us about how they fought for people’s rights and gave us examples which demonstrated they put people’s individuality and personal wishes before all else.

People were encouraged to socialise, pursue their interests and hobbies and try new things in a wide variety of innovative ways. For example, the service had recently been awarded money, following the delivery of a presentation by people and staff to a local ‘Dragon’s Den’, in order to put on a ball. People were very excited about this taking place.

There was evidence of quality monitoring leading to continuous improvement and people were actively involved in the running of the service. People had given their feedback about the service during a South West Action For Learning and Living Our Way Limited (SWALLOW) evaluation day. Some of the top feedback was that people were “treated like adults”, the service “met people’s individual needs”, that staff were “kind, caring and thoughtful” and that staff “made people feel valued.”

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin “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.

People were protected from risks relating to their physical health, their mental health and possible abuse. Staff had assessed individual risks to people and had taken action to seek guidance and minimise identified risks. Staff knew how to recognise possible signs of abuse.

Where accidents and incidents had taken place, these had been reviewed and action had been taken to reduce the risks of reoccurrence. Where this was needed, staff supported people to take their medicines safely and staffs’ knowledge relating to the administration of medicines was regularly checked. Staff told us they felt comfortable raising concerns.

Recruitment procedures were in place to help ensure only people of good character were employed by the service. Staff underwent Disclosure and Barring Service (police record) checks before they started work. Staffing numbers at the service were sufficient to meet people’s needs. Staff had the competencies and information they required in order to meet people’s needs. Staff received sufficient training as well as regular supervision and appraisal.

There were systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the care and support being delivered. The service was person-led and empowered people to discuss their views. One person discussed their role in the organisation’s management committee and told a member of staff; “I am your boss! You’ve got to listen to what I say!”

Further information is in the detailed findings below