Archived: 4 Cottage Walk

Updated 3 March 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 checked 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.

This inspection took place on the 11 January 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service including statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that occurred at the service. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

During our inspection, we spent time observing the interaction and communication between staff and people who used the service. We looked around the premises and observed care practices.

We talked directly with two people who used the service who could share their experiences with us. We spoke with the registered manager (who was also the provider), the manager who had day to day responsibility for the service, the area manager and three care staff on duty.

We reviewed three people’s care records including their medicines administration records. We looked at three staff files including recruitment, training and supervision. We looked at other records relating to the management of the service which included health and safety records and quality audits.

Updated 3 March 2018

At the last inspection in February 2015, the service was rated as ‘Good’. At this inspection in January 2018 we found the service remains ‘Good’. The inspection was unannounced.

4 Cottage Walk provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people including younger adults. It is a service for people with a physical disability, learning disability and/or on the autistic spectrum and mental ill health. At the time of our inspection, six people were receiving care and support at 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.

There was a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Some people who used the service were unable to verbally tell us about what it was like living at 4 Cottage Walk. We therefore used observation to help us understand people’s experiences.

Procedures were in place to safeguarded people who used the service from the potential risk of abuse. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were managed well whilst maintaining their independence. These were reviewed to ensure people’s needs were met effectively and safely.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people and safe recruitment practices were followed. The administration of medicines were managed safely to keep people well. Staff knew how to report any concerns and incidents were investigated.

People’s needs and choices were assessed in line with current guidance. Appropriate induction, training, supervision and appraisals were in place to enable staff to provide appropriate care to people. Staff had a range of skills, knowledge and experience to care for people effectively.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to make informed choices about what meals they had. People received regular and on-going health checks and support to attend appointments. Professionals worked together to support people with their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Staff had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Capacity to make specific decisions was recorded in people's care plans. People had maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

Staff interacted with people in a caring and friendly way and treated them with dignity and respect. People’s individual communication needs were recorded in their care files and information was provided in accessible formats. The premises were designed, adapted and accessible to meet people’s needs.

Care plans contained information about people's wishes and preferences. They were involved in reviews of their care arrangements where possible but this was not always recorded. People were encouraged to pursue their interests and to maintain links within the community. There was an effective complaints procedure in place and people and their relatives knew how to make a complaint should they need to.

There was a management structure in place which provided clear lines of responsibility and accountability. Staff were committed and supported. Quality assurance checks were carried out to ensure people received a high quality service which met their needs and protected their rights.