Background to this inspection
Updated
11 January 2022
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
This inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service did not have a manager currently registered with the CQC. There was a manager who was applying to become registered at the time of the inspection. This means that the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since it had registered with us. We used this information to plan our inspection.
We did not ask the provider to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with the three people using the service, the manager, the deputy manager and two care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two care records, two staff recruitment files and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including complaints, incident forms, policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with two relatives of people using the service and received feedback from one healthcare professional. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
11 January 2022
About the service
Walsingham Support – St John’s provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities. It is located in the Teddington area. At the time of the inspection, there were 5 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. There was an open culture which helped people to achieve the outcomes they wanted to. Staff empowered people to make decisions about their care needs. People had support to build and maintain important relationships to them.
People were satisfied with the support they received and they felt safe living at the service. Relatives were also happy that their family members were living in a safe, caring home.
The provider assessed risk in relations to people's care needs which meant they were able to take part in activities and live in a safe way. There were enough staff employed by the service and they were safe recruitment checks in place. The provider had effective infection control procedures in place, including those in relation to COVID-19.
Staff told us, and records showed that they received regular training and supervision.
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 staff supported people with their nutrition and ongoing health support needs.
There was a pleasant atmosphere in the home. People were treated with respect and dignity and staff cared for them in a way that protected their dignity and promoted independence.
Care and support plans were in place and people were supported to access the community to avoid social isolation. The provider listened and acted on any complaints that were received.
There was a new manager and deputy manager at the service. Staff told us the new management team were approachable. Some records relating to people’s care and support needs including their risk assessments, and other support plans were past their review date, however the manager acted immediately and updated these after the site visit. We have made a recommendation to the provider about this.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection.
This was the first inspection of the service since it registered with the CQC on 25 July 2019.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.