4 Box Crescent

Updated 6 August 2021

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. 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 Care Act 2014.

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 one inspector.

Service and service type

4 Box Crescent is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us and the registered manager would be available to support the inspection.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service and sought feedback from a professional who works with the service. We spoke with a staff member and a relative about their experience of the care provided. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with a relative about their experience of the care provided.

Updated 6 August 2021

About the service

4 Box Crescent is a is a residential care home. It provides accommodation and personal care for up to two adults with autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection there were two people living at the service. People used to live at a previous registered location but moved to 4 Box Crescent when the service was registered with us on 17 October 2019. This is therefore an inspection of a newly registered service.

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

Risks to people were assessed and managed safely. However, on inspection we identified there had been no recent consideration of water testing to minimise the risk of potential exposure to legionella bacteria. We discussed this with the provider who took immediate action to put appropriate measures in place to mitigate the risk.

People were supported by staff who understood how to keep them safe. Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place and staff were trained in how to protect people from abuse.

Medicines were managed effectively. Medicines were administered by trained staff and were stored safely.

Staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out.

The service was clean and well maintained, and staff followed good infection control procedures.

People's needs were fully assessed and understood by staff, and were reflected in their care plans. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People's food and drink preferences were clearly documented, and people were fully involved in the meal planning process. People told us that they really enjoyed the choice and standard of food at 4 Box Crescent.

People had access to any healthcare appointments they needed, and staff supported people in this area as required.

We observed positive interactions between people and staff. Staff treated people with respect and dignity, and feedback we received from people and relatives was positive about the care they received. A complaints system was in place and people knew how to use it.

The home was well-led by a management team who were passionate about promoting a good understanding of autism to achieve the best possible outcomes for people. Audits and checks were in place that identified errors, and actioned improvements.

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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. People's independence was promoted, care was person centred and staff understood people’s needs.

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 17 October 2019. The last rating for the service at the previous premises was good, published on 20 March 2019.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the service being newly registered.

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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.