Background to this inspection
Updated
15 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. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Goddards 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 CQC. 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. In addition to the registered manager, a new manager had started working at the service six months before our inspection and had submitted their application to register with CQC. They managed the service on a day to day basis. Throughout the report this person is referred to as the manager.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give us key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and reviewed information the provider sent us in their registration application. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with eight people who used the service. We spoke with the manager, registered manager (who was also the nominated individual) and four care workers.
We looked at records related to people’s care and the management of the service. We viewed three people’s care records, four staff recruitment and induction files, training and supervision information, and a range of records used to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to review evidence from the inspection.
Updated
15 January 2020
About the service:
The Goddards is a residential care home providing personal care to 14 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum condition.
The service has been developed 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.
The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 14 people. 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. The location of the service was near other homes and facilities locally and staff were discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found:
People were supported by a consistent and caring staff team, but not all staff had completed recent refresher training to ensure their skills and knowledge were kept up to date. Aspects of record-keeping required improvement to make sure people’s needs were effectively monitored. Improvements had been made to the quality assurance system but some issues identified in audits had not been fully resolved. Policies were being reviewed and updated.
People liked living at The Goddards and confirmed they felt safe and comfortable. Staff were aware of risks to people’s safety and wellbeing. Checks of the environment were conducted and the manager had taken action to improve environmental safety, including fire safety measures. Staff were aware to report any safeguarding concerns. People were supported with their health needs and had regular health checks.
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 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. People’s independence was promoted; they were involved cooking and household tasks. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were supported to access a range of activities and maintain relationships with friends and family members.
People and staff spoke positively about the management of the service. Staff told us there was good team work and a positive, person-centred culture.
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 requires improvement (published 25 July 2018). Since this rating was awarded the provider has altered its legal entity. They registered with the Care Quality Commission under this new legal entity on 28 November 2018.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the provider’s new registration.
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.