Park Crescent

Updated 1 August 2019

The inspection: We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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.

Inspection team: The inspection was conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type: Park Crescent 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 on the first day.

What we did: Prior to our inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included information from notifications received from the registered provider, feedback from the local authority safeguarding team and commissioners. We reviewed all the information we had received or had been provided with to fully inform our approach to inspecting this service.

The registered provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). 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.

During the inspection

Some people who used the service were able to communicate verbally with us whilst others used non-verbal communication methods. We spoke with three people who used the service but also used different methods to help us understand people’s experiences. We spent time in the dining room, games room and garden, observing the care and support people received. We reviewed three care plans and other records relating to care and support. We looked at three records relating to staff recruitment, supervision and training, and various documents relating to the service's quality assurance systems. We spoke with the registered manager a senior support worker and three support workers.

Updated 1 August 2019

About the service: Park Crescent is a residential care home that can accommodate up to seven people with learning disabilities and autism. The service is located in a large detached house, extended and adapted for the purpose. Accommodation is provided across two floors and people had access to a large garden at the rear of the house.

People's experience of using this service: The service was good at placing people at the centre of the service. The managers and staff of the service had a focus on giving people the opportunity to develop their confidence, gain new skills and become as independent as possible. People were enabled to enjoy outings and activities, and this brought people new confidence.

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. The registered manager looked for ways to improve the service, involving and engaging with the people using the service.

The service worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and made appropriate applications for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported by staff in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were encouraged to make choices and have control in their daily lives.

There was a positive culture in the service. People we spoke with felt well supported and thought highly of staff and staff told us they enjoyed working in the service, improving people’s lives. There was a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and people living in the home enjoyed each other’s company.

The service was safe. Recruitment practices were thorough, and staff were supported through an induction, training and supervision. This included the safe management of medicines, safeguarding and health and safety.

The service responded to people’s needs by ensuring support plans were person-centred and contained relevant and up-to-date information. Information was communicated to people in a format that they could understand. Within the home and in the community, people engaged in activities that were meaningful and enjoyable to them. People’s end of life wishes were discussed if this was their choice; some information around these discussions was recorded within their support plans.

The provider welcomed comments about the service. They had an accessible complaint’s process available to people. The service had not received any formal complaints. There were policies and procedures in place and regular staff meetings were held to help ensure staff were supported to undertake their role effectively.

There were good processes in place to help ensure the quality of the service was monitored. The staff team worked well together and felt supported by the registered manager and the provider.

The provider complied with the legal obligation to display its most recent rating within the home and on their website.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled comprehensive inspection at the service.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service and re-inspect in line with the current rating.

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