HF Trust - Severn Cottage

Updated 22 May 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type:

HF Trust - Severn Cottage is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 was an unannounced inspection.

What we did:

The provider submitted a provider information return (PIR) prior to this inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed information we held about the service such as previous inspection reports and statutory notifications. A statutory notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law.

We asked the local authority, commissioners and Healthwatch for any information they had which would aid our inspection. We used this information as part of our planning. Local authorities together with other agencies may have responsibility for funding people who used the service and monitoring its quality. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion, which promotes the views and experiences of people who use health and social care services. No concerns were raised by the professionals we contacted.

During the inspection we spoke with seven people who lived at the home. The registered manager was available throughout our inspection. We also spoke with three members of staff and the provider’s regional manager. We looked at three people’s care and medication records, staff training records and records relating to health and safety and the management of the home.

Updated 22 May 2019

About the service: HF Trust - Severn Cottage is a residential care home which accommodates a maximum of 19 people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our inspection 16 people were using the service. The provider had submitted an application to reduce the maximum number of people from 19 to 16.

The care service had not been developed or designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This was because the home provided accommodation for up to 19 people, some of whom were expected to use shared facilities including bathrooms and communal areas. The home was located within a 'campus' style location which contained other care homes with day centre facilities also on site.

People’s experience of using this service:

•People told us they were happy living at the home and with the staff who supported them. There was a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. One person said, “The staff are kind to me and they are all nice. I am very happy here."

•Risks to people were monitored and procedures were in place to help keep people safe.

•There were safe systems for the management and administration of people’s prescribed medicines.

•People were supported by adequate numbers of staff who were safe and competent to work with them.

•People were protected from the risks associated with the control and spread of infection.

•Staff understood the importance of ensuring people’s rights were understood and protected.

•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’s health care and nutritional needs were monitored and understood by staff.

•Staff understood and respected people’s needs and preferences and interactions were kind and caring.

•People had opportunities for social stimulation and were able to maintain links with the local community.

•The registered manager and provider followed effective procedures to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.

Rating at last inspection: At our last inspection in September 2016 (report published 5 November 2016) the service was rated good.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to

visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

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