Basford

Updated 14 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 was a comprehensive inspection that took place on 31 January 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require provider’s to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We also reviewed information that we held about the service such as the last inspection report, notifications, which are events which happened in the service that the provider is required to tell us about, and information that had been sent to us by other agencies. We also contacted commissioners (who fund people’s care) of the service.

On the day of the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and one visiting professional. Not all people who used the service were able to fully express their views about the service they received. We therefore observed staff engagement with people in providing care and support in communal areas of the service, to help us understand the experience of people.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the regional manager, a team leader and two care staff. We looked at all or parts of the care records of five people, along with other records relevant to the running of the service. This included how people were supported with their medicines, quality assurance audits, training information for staff, deployment of staff, meeting minutes, policies and procedures and arrangements for managing complaints.

After the inspection we contacted two people’s relatives to seek their views about the service their family member received.

Updated 14 March 2018

We inspected the service on 31 January 2018. The inspection was unannounced.

Heathcotes (Basford) 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.

Heathcotes (Basford) accommodates six people living with mental health needs and or learning disabilities and or an autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of our inspection six people were living 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.

At the last inspection, in February 2016 the service was rated overall as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found that the service remained ‘Good’.

Since our last inspection there had been a change of registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People were supported by a staff team who understood their role and responsibilities to protect them from abuse and avoidable harm. The registered provider had systems, policies and processes to support staff in safeguarding people. Staff had received appropriate safeguarding training.

Risks to people’s safety, including the environment had been assessed and were monitored and reviewed. Some concerns were identified with staffing levels and action was taken to improve this with immediate effect.

People’s medicines were managed safely. Not all night staff had received medicines training, whilst there was a plan to manage this action was taken to resolve this issue. Following our inspection the registered manager confirmed night staff that had not received medicines training, were enrolled to complete this as a matter of priority. The service was clean and hygienic and staff had received training in the prevention and control of infections and a policy and procedure was available to support staff.

People’s needs had been appropriately assessed and staff had information of the support people required to effectively manage their needs. Staff had received an appropriate induction and support. Some gaps were found in staff training, this had been already identified in some areas and training booked. Immediate action was taken to arrange for staff to receive refresher training where required.

People received a choice of meals and drinks and their dietary needs were known and understood by staff. People were supported to access primary and specialist health services to monitor their health needs. Staff worked with external healthcare professionals to secure good outcomes for people. The internal and external environment was appropriate for people’s individual needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by a staff team that knew them well; staff were caring and provided a person centred approach. Independence was promoted, dignity and privacy respected and people were involved in their care and support. People had access to independent advocacy information should they have required this support.

Staff supported people with their interests and hobbies and people contributed to planning the care and support they received. People’s communication needs had been assessed and planned for. The provider’s complaints procedure had been made available for people and was presented in an appropriate format. People’s end of life wishes had been discussed with them.

People, relatives and staff were positive about the leadership of the service. People received opportunities to share their experience about the service they received. Systems and processes were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service people received.