Background to this inspection
Updated
3 March 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 3 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.
Updated
3 March 2022
About the service
Ashton Way is a care home for up to three people who have autism spectrum conditions. It is a detached house in a quiet residential area. At the time of this visit there were three people using the service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them. The home was small and personalised, with no obvious signage indicating it was a care home. The feel of the service was homely and determined by people’s needs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were enabled to safely pursue their own interests by staff who understood how to minimise risks and maximise the opportunities open to people. Positive risk taking was part of the culture and ensured people were able to gain increased levels of independence.
Relatives and external health and social care professionals had confidence in the ability of staff to meet people’s needs safely and consistently.
The provider used clear systems for monitoring and analysing any incidents, accidents or safeguarding concerns.
Staff worked well with external health and social care professionals. They also had access to an internal team of occupational health and other specialists.
Staff received good support from the registered manager and the provider. Mandatory training was well managed and bespoke training put in place where needed.
People's needs were regularly assessed and staffing reviewed. Staff had a comprehensive understanding of people’s communication needs and used a range of methods to help them play a part in the running of the service.
Activities were varied and geared towards people’s interests. People’s individualities were valued and reflected in the way staff planned activities.
Relatives and external healthcare professionals felt the service was well-managed. The registered manager continually sought ways to improve the service with a view to helping people live full lives. Staff played a full part in this and were confident in their roles.
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 live as full lives as possible.
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 (published 20 September 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.