3 to 5 Kennet Way

Updated 28 January 2020

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:

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

3 to 5 Kennet Wat is a 'care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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, but they had recently left to work at one of the provider’s other services. A registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. There was a new manager in place, who told us they intended to apply to register with CQC as registered manager of the service.

Notice of inspection:

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed previous inspection reports and notifications we had been sent by the provider. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

During the inspection

People were unable to give us verbal feedback. We spoke to two relatives about their family members care. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with the manager, the area manager, the positive support co-ordinator and three care staff. We reviewed a range of records. These included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures, audits, incident reports and risk assessments were reviewed.

After the inspection

We received feedback from two relatives via telephone and email. We also spoke to a fire safety officer from the local fire and rescue service.

Updated 28 January 2020

About the service:

3 to 5 Kennet Way is a residential care home. The service provides personal care and support for three people who have learning disabilities and associated conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders.

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:

The provider did not always act promptly to implement the recommendations of external professionals in relation to fire safety. After feedback from the inspection, action was quickly taken to address issues identified.

There was a manager in place, who told us they intended to submit an application to CQC to register as manager of the service. The manager understood the requirements of their role and promoted a positive atmosphere at the service.

There were enough staff in place. The provider was in the process of recruiting more permanent staff to reduce the reliance on agency staff. All staff had enough training and supervision in place.

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.

The provider had processes in place to gain appropriate consent to care. 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 live active lives, accessing activities in line with their interests and being supported to build their everyday living skills. Relatives told us they were happy with the care their family members received.

People were supported appropriately around their behaviour, anxiety and communication. There were systems in place to gain people’s feedback, listen to their concerns and protect them from the risk of suffering abuse or avoidable harm.

People’s needs in relation to their health and nutrition were met. People’s care reflected their individual needs. This included their preferred daily routines and preferences. They were supported to remain active and take part in a variety of activities.

Staff understood people’s needs and were motivated in their role. They treated people with dignity, respect and were patient when they offered support.

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 29 July 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.