Background to this inspection
Updated
9 April 2019
The inspection: We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) 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 Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: One inspector carried out the inspection.
Service and service type: Crows Nest is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection: This was an unannounced inspection.
What we did: Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We reviewed all the information we held about the service, this included notifications of significant changes or events.
We checked for feedback we received from members of the public, local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). We also checked Companies House records.
During the inspection we spoke with five people. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and two care workers. We reviewed two people's care records, one staff personnel file, audits and other records about the quality and safety of the service.
Updated
9 April 2019
About the service: The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. Ten people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service: The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways; promotion of choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People told us they were well cared for; they said staff were kind and caring.
People told us they were safe living at Crows Nest. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and the whistle blowing procedure; they knew how to raise concerns.
There were sufficient staff to ensure people received the support they wanted. The provider followed safe recruitment practices.
Health and safety checks and risk assessments were carried out to ensure people were safe and to maintain a safe environment. Medicines were managed safely. Accidents had been and appropriate action was taken.
Staff received good support and had access to the training they needed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care services when needed.
People's needs were assessed to identify how they want their support provided; this was used as the basis for developing personalised care plans.
People were engaged in a wide range of activities; some people accessed the local community independently.
People gave us only positive feedback about the registered manager. There were regular opportunities for people and staff to give feedback. Management completed checks to help ensure people received safe care.
More information is in the Detailed Findings section below. For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection: Good (the last report was published on 1 September 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service and inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule for services rated good.