Background to this inspection
Updated
28 January 2020
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Upperton Gardens is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The registered manager was on maternity leave at the time of our inspection. A senior member of staff was acting as manager for the service in their absence.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked 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 two people and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spent time observing the support people received from staff. We spoke with four staff including the manager
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, three staff recruitment records, and staff training and supervision records. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, medicines records and audits carried out by senior staff.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
28 January 2020
About the service
Upperton Gardens is a residential care home registered to provide personal care to up six people with learning disabilities, autism and/or sensory impairment. There were six people living at the home at the time of the inspection.
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 were protected from the risk of abuse. Risks to people had been assessed and guidance was in place for staff on how to manage identified areas of risk. Staff were aware of the action to take to keep people safe. People’s medicines were safely managed. There were enough staff working on each shift at the home to ensure people’s needs were met. The provider followed safe recruitment practices.
Staff knew how to manage the risk of the spread of infection safely. The manager maintained a record of any incidents and accidents that occurred at the home and reviewed this information for learning to reduce the risk of repeat occurrence.
Staff sought people’s consent when offering them 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. Staff were supported in their roles through regular training and supervision. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and had access to range of healthcare services when needed.
People’s needs were assessed. They and their relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care. Their care plans reflected their individual needs and preferences. The home had facilities and adaptations which met people’s needs. Staff treated people with care and consideration. They respected people’s privacy and treated them with dignity. People were involved in making day to day decisions about the support they received.
The provider had a complaints procedure in place and information was given to people in formats which met their needs. People were supported to take part in a range of activities which reflected their interests. They were supported to maintain the relationships that were important to them. Staff spoke positively about the working culture within the home. The manager and staff were aware of the responsibilities of their roles. The views of people and relatives were sought through regular meetings and the use of surveys. The provider had systems in place for monitoring the quality of the service and driving service improvements.
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 (published 16 June 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.