Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road

Updated 12 April 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 17 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one working days' notice of the inspection.

Updated 12 April 2022

About the service

Abilities Short Breaks - Preston Road provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of three adults who have learning disabilities. The home is a two-storey detached corner house. The service provided short stays for people with learning disabilities. The local authority agrees an allocated number of nights for people with learning disabilities as part of their care package. Relatives of people then book short breaks at the home for people. At the time of this inspection, 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.

People’s experience of using this service:

There was only one person in the home during this inspection who could provide us with verbal feedback. The other two people had gone out for the day. Staff informed us that these two people were not able to provide verbal feedback. The person who used the service told us they were happy living in the home and they were well cared for. We observed that staff interacted well with this person and were attentive towards them. People’s relatives were positive about the care provided. They stated that staff were able to meet people’s needs and treated people with respect and dignity.

Risk assessments had been documented. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing had been assessed. There was guidance for staff on how to minimise risks to people.

Staff had received training on how to safeguard people and were aware of the procedure to follow if they suspected that people were subject to abuse

The service had a policy and procedure to ensure that people received their prescribed medicines. Staff had received medicines administration training and knew how to administer medicines safely.

Staff had been carefully recruited and essential pre-employment checks had been carried out. The home had adequate staffing levels and staff were able to attend to people’s needs. This was also confirmed by staff and relatives.

People looked comfortable in their environment. The premises were clean and tidy. There was a record of essential maintenance carried out. Fire safety arrangements were in place.

Staff supported people to have a healthy and nutritious diet that was in line with their individual dietary needs and preferences.

The healthcare needs of people had been assessed. People could access the services of healthcare professionals when needed.

Staff had received appropriate training and they had the knowledge and skills to support people. The registered manager and senior staff provided staff with regular supervision and a yearly appraisal of their performance.

Staff understood their obligations regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS ensure that an individual being deprived of their liberty is monitored and the reasons why they are being restricted is regularly reviewed to make sure it is still in the person's best interests. DoLS authorisations were in place for all three people.

People’s care needs had been assessed prior to them coming to the home and staff were knowledgeable regarding these needs. The service provided people with person-centred care and support that met their individual needs and choices.

Staff supported people to participate in various activities within the home and in the community. They were encouraged to be as independent as possible and also engaged in household chores.

There was a complaints procedure and people’s relatives knew who to complain to. Complaints recorded had been promptly responded to.

The service was well managed. Morale among staff was good. Relatives told us that management listened to them. Management monitored the quality of the services provided via regular audits and checks. The results of satisfaction surveys indicated that the representatives of people were mostly satisfied with the care and services provided. Two recent suggestions made by relatives had not been responded to. The registered manager stated that he would respond to them.

Rating at last inspection: The service had been inspected on 18 and 21 October 2016 and rated as Good.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled planned comprehensive inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk