Ashdale House

Updated 19 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Ashdale House is a ‘care home’. 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.

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 it was registered. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two members of staff including a team leader and the registered manager. We also received email feedback from three staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’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 looked at training data and quality assurance records. We gathered feedback from three professionals who worked with the service.

Updated 19 November 2021

About the service

Ashdale House is a residential home providing personal care for up to two younger adults with a learning disability and autistic people with sensory and communication impairments. The service delivers community-based living for individuals with varying degrees of disability and complex behaviours. Two people were living at Ashdale 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. People received their prescribed medicines and medicines were managed safely. The service was 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 were enabled 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 relationships 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 supported 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 people with autism 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 way which promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. For example, the service’s values were designed to support people's development and independence. Right culture: the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using the service led 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 05/03/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection since the service registered with us.