121 Hassall Road

Updated 2 December 2020

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 coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 18 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 2 December 2020

About the service

121 Hassall Road is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to four people in a single storey adapted building. The home is situated in a residential area with access to local amenities.

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 and what we found

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used some restrictive intervention practices as a last resort, in a person-centred way, in line with positive behaviour support principles.

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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting 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 were protected from harm by staff who understood how to keep them safe with risks appropriately assessed and managed. People’s medicines were managed safely and administered as prescribed. Staff were recruited following safe recruitment procedures. Safety checks were carried out to ensure the environment was a safe place for people to live and staff were aware of the steps to take to prevent and control the spread of infection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Procedures ensured people’s needs were assessed and regularly reviewed to ensure the care they received continued to meet their needs and promote good outcomes. Staff supported people to maintain a nutritious diet in line with their preferences and specific dietary needs. People’s received care that was effective. Their health and well-being were well managed with access to an extensive range of the provider’s in-house facilities in addition to external agencies.

People were cared for by staff who knew them well. Staff had developed caring relationships with people and respected their privacy and dignity. People's independence was promoted. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with their friends and family.

People's care was based on detailed assessments and person-centred care plans. People were able to participate in an extensive range of activities. There was a procedure in place to ensure complaints were dealt with effectively which was also available in pictorial format. People’s future wishes had been discussed and planned for.

Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service with an emphasis on continued learning. Management and staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities.

Relatives we spoke felt that the service was well-led.

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

Rating at last inspection: This service was registered with us on 24 October 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection.

We will continue to monitor the information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.