Ashbrook House

Updated 17 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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. 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.

This inspection took place on 13 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 17 February 2022

About the service

Ashbrook House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 7 people with a learning disability and/or autism. Ashbrook House accommodates up to 9 people in one adapted building.

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 lived in a safe environment with enough staff to support them. Staff knew how to report any suspected abuse and ensured they took action to help mitigate risks to people. Medicines were managed to ensure people received them as they needed them. Incidents and accidents were appropriately managed.

Staff were trained and supported to meet people’s needs. People were appropriately assessed and supported with their nutritional and healthcare needs. People were supported to make decisions and consent was sought in line with legislation.

People’s needs were met by caring staff that knew how to support them. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and encouraged people to make decisions about their care.

Care plans reflected guidance that supported people’s individual needs. People were supported to express their end of life wishes where necessary. Systems were in place to respond to any complaints or concerns.

The registered manager had good oversight of the service to ensure people, relatives and staff were supported. Steps were taken to make improvements to the home and review the quality of care received. Management worked alongside other agencies to ensure people received support.

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 applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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 on 23 February 2017 (last report published 23 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.