Archived: West Avenue

Updated 11 December 2014

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 inspection took place on 16 October 2014 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). 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 the information we held about the home and notifications we had received. 

We spoke with two people receiving a service, two relatives, two members of staff and the home’s manager.  We reviewed two people’s care files, two staff files, staff training records, a selection of policies and procedures and records relating to the management of the service.  Following our visit we sought feedback from health and social care professionals to obtain their views of the service provided to people. We received feedback from one care manager.

Updated 11 December 2014

We visited the service on 16 October 2014 unannounced.  At our last inspection in October 2013 we did not identify any concerns.

West Avenue is a care home offering care and support for up to six people.  The service supports people up to the age of 65 who have learning disabilities including Autistic Spectrum Disorder and associated conditions.   At the time of our visit there were four people receiving a service from West Avenue.   

When we visited there was no registered manager in post.  The home had been without a registered manager since October 2013.  A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. 

People said they felt safe and staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report if concerns were raised.  Risk management was important to ensure people’s safety.  Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people’s freedom.  Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how it applied to their practice.  We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).  

People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences and their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service.  They were encouraged to prepare their own meals to develop their skills and to promote their independence.  Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the right care and treatment.

Staff relationships with people were strong, caring and supportive.  Through our observations and discussions, we found that staff were motivated and inspired to offer care that was kind and compassionate.

Staffing arrangements, which included recruitment, were flexible in order to meet people’s individual needs.  Staff received a range of training and regular support to keep their skills up to date in order to support people appropriately.  Staff spoke positively about communication and how the manager worked well with them, encouraged team working and an open culture. 

A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received.