Brook Drive

Updated 17 April 2018

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection site visit activity started on 30 January 2018 and ended on 23 February 2018 and was carried out by one inspector. It included checking the progress of the service since the last inspection. We visited the office location on 30 January 2018 and 23 February 2018 to see the registered manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures. As part of the inspection, we carried out home visits to people who used the service to speak to them and observe, were possible, their care to ensure that information keep in people’s homes was reflective of the records stored in the office.

Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service including previous reports and notifications. We also reviewed safeguarding alerts and information received from a local authority and other Commissioners. Notifications are important events that the service has to let the Care Quality Commission know about by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with the registered manager and two of the specialist support staff. We reviewed three people’s care files. We also looked at quality monitoring, audit information and policies held at the service and the service’s staff support records for five members of staff. Some people were unable to communicate with us verbally to tell us about the quality of the service provided and how they were cared for by staff. We therefore used observations, speaking with staff, reviewing care records and other information to help us assess how people’s care needs were being best met.

Updated 17 April 2018

This inspection took place on the 30 January 2018 and 23 February 2018 which was unannounced, the inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Brook Drive is a small domiciliary care agency that provides 24 hour support and personal care to people who live in their own homes in Wickford, Essex. The service has three bungalows which are owned by the provider and rented out to people using the service. These bungalows have been adapted to each individual’s needs. People supported by the service may have a learning disability or multiple/complex needs. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

The service was safe. The service’s recruitment process ensured that appropriate checks were carried out before staff commenced employment. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse. People’s health and wellbeing needs were assessed and reviewed to minimise risk to their health. People’s medicines were managed well and records of administration were kept up to date.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people and to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People were supported to eat and drink enough as to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to health and social care services was made when required.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner and had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed decisions.

The service was responsive. Records we viewed showed people and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The service responded to complaints received in a timely manner.

The service was well-led. Staff and people spoke very highly of the registered manager and the provider who they said were very supportive and worked hard to provide an exceptional service. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.