Elmhurst

Updated 7 December 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Elmhurst is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Elmhurst is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service was small, and we wanted to ensure the registered manager and people were available to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 7 November 2022 and ended on 21 November 2022. We visited the service on 7 November 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since its registration. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We carried out a tour of the home to ensure it was safe and suitable to meet people's needs. We spoke with 3 members of staff, including the registered manager, the deputy manager, the deputy head of the provider’s residential services and the ‘in house’ mental health nurse. We also spoke with 2 people who lived at the service.

We looked at records in relation to people who used the service including 3 care plans and systems for monitoring the quality of the service provided.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training and quality assurance records. We spoke with 2 members of staff on the telephone to help us understand their experience of working at the service. We also spoke with 3 external professionals who regularly worked with the service.

Updated 7 December 2022

About the service

Elmhurst is a residential care home providing regulated activity (e.g. personal care) for up to 4 people. The service provides support to younger adults living with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people using the service.

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

People living at Elmhurst benefited from a service that was committed to empowering people by putting them at the heart of their own care and support.

Elmhurst was dedicated to providing both safe and high-quality care and support. Staff recruitment process ensured staff were safe to work with people.

Risks to people were managed and mitigated to lessen the risk of harm to people. People had input in how their risks were managed. A positive mindset was taken to risk management. People were not told they couldn’t do something simply because it was too risky but were supported by staff to manage risks safely, and retain their independence as far as possible.

Staff demonstrated a strong commitment to driving the best possible outcomes for people, which were guided by people’s own goals and aspirations. Staff told us how they had developed positive team dynamics with fellow staff members and trusting relationships with the people they supported.

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.

The service adopted and practiced a therapeutic and compassionate culture which was committed to delivering safe and high-quality care, unique to the person receiving it. This was underpinned by effective proactive governance and collaborative working to achieve the best possible outcomes for people whilst empowering advocacy. People had a genuine say in how their care and support was delivered.

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 28 September 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

As the service has been registered with CQC for over one year, we carried out this comprehensive inspection to award a rating for the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.