Background to this inspection
Updated
24 February 2018
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 unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 29 January 2018. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Prior to 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, such as what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Before our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included any concerns or notifications of incidents that the provider had sent us since the last inspection. We also reviewed previous reports and contacted the local authority to obtain their views about the care provided.
During our inspection we spent time observing care and support provided to people. We spoke with five staff, a music therapist, the deputy manager and the registered manager. We also spoke with one person who used the service. We looked at six people’s care plans and other records relating to the management of the service. This included five staff supervision and training files, staffing rotas, accident and incident records and procedures relating to complaints, health and safety, quality monitoring and medicine administration.
After the inspection, we spoke with two relatives of people who use the service, by telephone.
Updated
24 February 2018
We carried out this unannounced inspection of 74 Neave Crescent on 29 January 2018. At our last inspection on 22 October 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the service remained ‘Good’.
74 Neave 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.
74 Neave Crescent is a ten bedded care home for people with learning disabilities and autism. 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. At the time of our inspection, there were seven people using the service, including one person who was receiving respite care for a short period, who lived in a separate unit.
The home had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the home is run.
At our last inspection, we made a recommendation for the provider to record how people with communication difficulties were supported to express their choices to staff in their everyday lives. At this inspection, we found the provider had taken action. They made improvements to care plans, which now detailed how best to communicate with people so that staff could understand their needs and preferences.
People continued to receive safe care. Risks to people were identified and there was guidance in place for staff to minimise these risks. There were safeguarding processes in place to protect people from abuse. Staff were aware of the whistleblowing policy and could approach other organisations if they had any concerns about the provider.
People were supported by staff who had received training to provide a safe and effective service.
Systems were in place to ensure medicines were administered safely and when needed.
Equipment in the service was maintained and serviced regularly. People lived in an environment that was safe and suitable for their needs.
Accidents or incidents were investigated and recorded. Lessons were learnt to minimise the risk of reoccurrence.
There were enough staff on duty to support people. Recruitment processes were safe, which ensured that staff were suitable to work with people who needed support.
People were supported to have choice and remain as independent as possible. The provider was compliant with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People and their relatives were involved in decisions about their care.
People’s nutritional needs were met and they were supported with any specific dietary requirements they had.
Staff worked with health and social care professionals, such as speech and language therapists and GPs, to ensure that people remained healthy and well.
People continued to receive support from staff who were caring and which was responsive to their needs. They were supported by staff who treated them with respect and ensured they were given privacy and dignity in their lives.
We saw that staff supported people patiently and were attentive to their needs. People were able to engage in activities and social events that they enjoyed.
People and their relatives were able to provide feedback about the service and complete satisfaction surveys. There was a complaints procedure in place and all complaints were investigated by the management team.
The service continued to be well led. The management team ensured the quality of the service was monitored regularly. The registered manager worked well with other organisations to ensure people received the care and support they needed.