Station Villa

Updated 26 October 2023

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Station Villa is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was no registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

The provider had completed a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time observing interactions between people and with supporting staff. We spoke with 7 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff. This included the newly appointed manager, registered manager, regional manager, administrator and support staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people’s care records, and medication records. We looked at a variety of records relating to staffing and the management and oversight of the service.

After the inspection visit, we received feedback from 6 support staff regarding their experience of working at Station Villa. Relatives had recently completed a CQC questionnaire about the service. We reviewed their comments.

Updated 26 October 2023

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

About the service

Station Villa is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 16 people. The service specialises in the care of people who have a learning disability and autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting underpinning principles of “Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture.

Right Support

The model of care and setting maximised people’s choice, control and independence. The service was within walking distance to the town and there was good access to the local community and amenities.

People were supported to make their own decisions and included in the day to day running of their home. This included attending work or college, going shopping, attending clubs and accessing the community.

Staff supported people to learn new skills and maintain their independence. People had fulfilling days and meaningful goals they chose. Staff supported each person by focusing on their strengths and encouraging each person with what they could do.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We observed people making real choices in the structure of their day and the activities they took part in. They were in control of how they spent their time; what they wanted to do and when.

People were supported by enough staff on duty who had been trained to do their jobs properly. People’s risk assessments were clear and up to date. People received their medicines in a safe way and were protected from abuse and neglect. People told us they were able to access timely support from health and social care professionals.

Right Care

There was a strong person-centred culture within the staff team. Care is person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People were treated in a dignified manner and staff were aware of people’s support needs.

Staff knew people well and demonstrated an understanding of people's individual care, behavioural and communication needs. Staff gained consent from people prior to providing any support.

People received good quality care, support and treatment because staff had the skills they needed and supported each other effectively. Comments included “Staff are kind”, “Staff are lovely” and care is “Perfect.”

People communicated with staff with no hesitation. Staff understood their individual communication needs and were consistent in their approach and response. Risk assessments informed staff of any specific ways to best communicate with each person.

Right Culture

The managers and staff team were highly motivated and proud of the service they delivered to the people they supported. There was a visible person-centred culture at the service.

People led their life that reflected their personalities and preferences. People were supported by staff where the ethos, values, and attitudes of management and care staff ensured they led confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

Staff created an environment that inspired people to understand and achieve their goals and ambitions.

People’s quality of life was enhanced by the staff team’s commitment to ensuring a respectful and inclusive culture. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the care and support people received.

There was clear leadership and visions and values for the service, that ensured people were at the heart of everything they did.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Last rating and update

The service was rated Good at our last inspection. (Published 18 September 2017).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.