Apple Tree House

Updated 1 December 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the Warning Notice in relation to Regulation 12 Safe care and treatment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 on concerns we had about fire safety.

Inspection team

The inspection team was made up of one inspector.

Service and service type

Apple Tree House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Apple Tree House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection the registered manager was absent from the service. The provider had arranged for a registered manager from another service to oversee the home during the registered managers absence.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 staff members, including the manager. We reviewed documents in relation to the warning notice we served and toured the premises.

Updated 1 December 2022

About the service

Apple Tree House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to four people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. At the time of the inspection four people were living at the home. The service is a residential property based on the outskirts of Burnham on Sea. Local shops, the beach and the town are within a close proximity to the home.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support

The service did not always give people care and support in a safe environment. Restrictions placed on people were not always proportionate to the level of risk. Some improvements were required to ensure people were supported to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms. The service supported people to have choice, control and independence. People were able to pursue their chosen interests. Staff supported people to achieve their aspirations and goals.

People were supported to access their local community. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their needs. Staff supported people with their medicines in a way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcome.

Right Care

People could take part in activities and pursue interests that were tailored to them. Staff promoted equality and diversity in their support for people. People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life. Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face.

Right culture

The provider and the manager had failed to implement a robust system to monitor the quality of the service. Improvement in areas of risk management had not been fully implemented in respect of restrictions and fire safety. Staff turnover had been high, which meant people were supported by agency staff. Staff understood people well and were responsive to their needs.

People and those important to them, were involved in planning their care. Staff evaluated the quality of support provided to people, involving the person, their families and other professionals as appropriate. Staff valued and acted upon people’s views.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 29 January 2020.

Why we inspected

This was the first inspection for the service under the new provider (registered 01 December 2020) to rate the service.

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.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment, and good governance at this inspection.

We made recommendations that the provider reviews their processes to ensure people’s capacity assessments are reviewed in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Full information about CQC's regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.