Background to this inspection
Updated
12 October 2015
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, 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 over two days; the 19 November and 6 December 2014. We gave the provider a short notice period because the location provides a service over a number of weekends throughout the year and we needed to be sure it was operating when we visited. We went to the office of the organisation to talk with the manager and staff who may not have been available when we visited the service.
The inspection was completed by one inspector.
Prior to the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This included looking at the last inspection report and notifications the provider had sent us. Notifications are sent to us by the provider to inform us about incidents that occur at the service. 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.
During the inspection we spoke with six people using the service, two relatives, five support staff and the registered manager. We completed a short observation period, reviewed two care records and looked at other records relating to running the service. These included three staff files, quality audits and health and safety documents.
Updated
12 October 2015
This inspection was announced and took place on 19 November and 6 December 2014. We gave the provider notice of our inspection to make sure that people would be available to speak with us as the weekend breaks do not take place every week.
Pegasus House provides themed weekend breaks for up to eight people with a learning disability. People are supported to take part in a range of experiences both in and out of the service, develop new skills and spend time with friends and to make new friends. All the people who use the service at weekends are known to the provider through attending their day service provision.
At the last inspection on 16 January 2014 we asked the provider to take action to make improvements in the checking of the safety of the building. The provider sent us an action plan telling us how they would improve. On this inspection we saw that the provider had made the required improvements.
The service had a registered manager. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The provider’s checks on the quality of the service could be improved. The checks had not picked up for example that care records contained limited information and some medicine protocols were not recorded.
Risks to people were identified and appropriate plans were in place and acted upon. People received their medicines as it was prescribed by their GP.
People were supported by staff who were trained to meet people’s needs. There were sufficient staff on duty to provide people’s support. Staff were matched to the people who attended the weekend breaks. This meant that they knew people well and people received personalised care that met their needs.
Staff acted in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were assumed to be able to make their own decisions. Where people could not, staff were aware of the need to act in their best interest. This meant that people’s rights were upheld and decisions were taken in their best interest.
People had sufficient to eat and drink and chose the meals they wanted to eat. They went with staff to buy the food for their weekend stays. Some people that used the service had specialist diets. A relative we spoke with confirmed that their family member’s specialist needs were met.
Some people needed support to manage their health care needs. We saw this was done appropriately. We saw that contact details were available in the event of a health emergency.
People told us they really enjoyed their weekend breaks. They said that they chose to come and got on well with the other people and with the staff. People were consulted about what they wanted to do and contributed to the arrangements for future weekend breaks.
People were treated in a caring and compassionate way. Care staff spoke respectfully with people and support was provided in a relaxed way. Some people shared a bedroom but this was done with their agreement. Some people were friends and enjoyed sharing a bedroom.
People and relatives’ feedback was sought following each weekend break. We saw that these were overwhelmingly positive but that when issues were raised these were acted upon.
People were supported by care staff who were encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge and who were aware of their responsibilities. They told us they would have no hesitation in reporting poor practice and were confident that the registered manager and the provider would act upon concerns promptly.