The Old Rectory

Updated 8 February 2022

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.

We received information of concern regarding a staff member working at this service who was not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. From 11 November 2021, it is a condition of deployment that all staff working in CQC registered care homes must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We found that one staff member had worked, after this date, having received only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. The staff member had worked for one shift and for a short number of hours; they had minimum contact with the people who used the service. Whilst this practice is not in line with government guidance, the circumstances had been appropriately risk assessed, with mitigating actions in place such as full PPE, and without this staff member working, care would not have been able to be delivered. At the time of this inspection, all staff had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service. The service had vacant posts and were finding it difficult to recruit into these however it was having little impact on the service people were receiving. The provider had taken steps to address the workforce issues.

This inspection took place on 17 January 2022 and was unannounced. The inspection continued remotely until 20 January 2022 when feedback was given.

Updated 8 February 2022

About the service

The Old Rectory is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for 7 adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder. There were 7 people living in the service at the time of our inspection. The service is larger than recommended by best practice guidance. However, we have rated this service good because the service was arranged in a way that ensured people received person-centred care and were supported to maximise their independence, choice, control and involvement in the community.

The Old Rectory is an older building and each person has their own bedroom. People shared bathroom facilities. There is a lounge and a large kitchen and dining area. There is also a large garden people can access.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People received exceptionally person-centred care. People’s needs, wishes and aspirations were clearly identified, and staff supported people to be as independent as possible. Staff supported people to attend events in the local community, access employment and follow their interests. Detailed assessments of people’s communication needs took place, and staff engaged with people using their preferred way of communicating. Staff sought specialist advice from other professionals to help with the planning of end of life care for people. There was a complaints procedure in place and complaints were responded to according to the procedure.

People were cared for in a way which was respectful, and which upheld their dignity. People’s right to privacy was respected and staff knew when to give people space. Staff were quick to offer people reassurance when people became distressed or expressed concerns.

Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and people felt safe living in the home. People’s individual risks had been assessed and planned for, as well as environmental risks. People’s medicines were managed safely and administered according to the prescriber’s instructions. Action was being taken to improve the overall cleanliness of the service.

Staff completed training relevant to their role and received regular supervisions. People were supported to have a healthy diet, and access healthcare professionals when needed. 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 had a clear ethos, and prioritised people’s quality of life. People, their relatives, staff and the public were involved in sharing their views about the service. Effective governance systems were in place to drive improvement. Staff worked closely with other organisations to further improve the care people received.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 26 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Old Rectory on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.