Yew Tree Cottage

Updated 12 March 2021

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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 12 March 2021

Yew Tree Cottage is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 11 people with a learning disability. At the time of this inspection 10 people were living there. This service also provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting in one house and annexe (shared by five people). At the time of the inspection they were providing personal care support to one person.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 11 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

The registered manager, management team and staff working in the service were all very dedicated to providing care and support to people in an individual and meaningful way. Staff knew people’s needs in detail including, their likes and dislikes and their goals for the future, which they helped them to achieve. People were encouraged and supported to take part in work, voluntary and social activities that they enjoyed. Staff were kind, caring and promoted people’s privacy and independence where possible.

People felt safe and were protected from avoidable harm by a staff team trained to recognise and report any concerns. Risks to people’s health and safety were identified and safely managed. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs in a timely manner. People received their medication as prescribed. There were systems in place to record, monitor and learn from accidents and incidents. People lived in a clean, hygienic environment.

Staff had the knowledge, skills and support they required to meet people’s needs effectively. People’s physical, emotional and social needs were identified so staff could meet these. People received support with eating and drinking when needed. People were supported to maintain good health and were supported by or referred to the relevant healthcare professionals.

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 (report published August 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.