Clipstone House

Updated 6 November 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Clipstone House 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, charge nurse, support workers, domestic and maintenance person.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three 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 looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two relatives of people who live in the service. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 6 November 2021

About the service

Clipstone House is a residential home providing personal and nursing care for up to six younger adults with learning disabilities and autistic people with sensory and communication impairments. The service is intended for people who require a high level of support to live in a community setting. The service consists of six single person apartments and communal areas including lounges, dining room and private gardens. Six people were living at Clipstone House at the time of our inspection.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse. People told us they felt safe in the service. Risks to people's safety were managed. Staff were recruited safely. The service had high number of vacancies and agency workers were deployed to cover staff shortages. People received their prescribed medicines and medicines were managed safely. The service looked clean and hygienic. COVID-19 government guidance was followed by staff.

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service. Staff had been trained and had the necessary skills and experience to support people to achieve a positive lifestyle. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. People had access to health services. The service worked closely with external health professionals to monitor people’s physical and mental health.

People were treated with kindness and their privacy was respected by staff. People told us staff genuinely looked after them. People were able and encouraged to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their support. This included reviewing their care plans or deciding what activities to take part in.

People received personalised care to ensure their needs and preferences were met. Staff were matched with people based on their hobbies and preferences. People were given information in a way they could understand. Staff knew people well and knew how to communicate with them. People were supported and encouraged to maintain relationship with their relatives.

The registered manager and staff had a clear vision about the service and support they offered to people. A range of audits were completed to ensure good quality services. Staff and the registered manager worked together with other agencies to ensure people received right care and support. People, staff and relatives were involved in the running of the service and were asked for feedback about the service.

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.

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. Right support: people were supported and encouraged to achieve positive outcomes, for example, people had been supported to reduce restrictions previously placed on them. Right care: people were supported in a person-centred which promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. For example, the environment was designed to support people's privacy and independence. Right culture: Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

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 10 January 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection. 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.