Deerhurst

Updated 5 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 team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type

Deerhurst 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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration with the Care Quality Commission. 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 one person who used the service and a relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, a senior care worker and a care worker.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, medication records and risk assessments. We looked at three 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 registered manager to validate evidence found.

Updated 5 August 2021

About the service

Deerhurst is a care home that provides accommodation for two adults with a learning disability and or a mental health. At the time of our visit there were two people living at the service. People in care homes receive accommodation and 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.

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

People received safe care. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and knew what they had to do to keep people safe. Risk assessments were in place to reduce and manage risks within people's lives. Safe systems were in place to ensure that people received their medicines as prescribed. People were supported to look after their own medicines.

People and staff had been kept safe during the pandemic because government guidance was followed. People, staff and visitors were tested regularly in line with government guidance. People were involved in discussions about the government guidance enabling them to keep safe during this period of time.

People had access to other health and social professionals. People were supported to take part in a range of activities based on their interests within their local area and in their home. People were fully consulted on how they wanted to be supported through house and keyworker meetings and care reviews.

People were protected from unsuitable staff because robust recruitment procedures were carried out. Staff were trained to support people effectively. Good communication was in place in the form of daily handovers, team meetings and one to one supervision. Staff said they were very supported in their roles by each other and the management team. There was a consistent team that knew people well.

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. Staff were caring and provided people with care tailored to their needs promoting their rights to an ordinary life. People were supported to have 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 registered manager had monitoring systems, which enabled them to identify good

practices and areas of improvement.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection (and update)

This service was registered with us on 14/01/2020 and this is their 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.