Archived: The Elms

Updated 28 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 announced comprehensive inspection took place on 12 October 2017 and was carried out by one inspector.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the Provider information return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also checked the information we held about the service including statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We contacted the health and social care commissioners who monitor the care and support of people receiving care from The Elms to get their views on the service.

During this inspection we spoke with three people using the service and observed staff interacting with one person who was unable to communicate verbally. We spoke with the learning disability co-ordinator at the local hospital and also spoke with six members of staff including the provider, the manager, the compliance manager, the human resources officer, a team leader and a care worker. We received feedback from healthcare professionals and the training companies used by the provider informing us of their views about the service.

We reviewed various care records of three people that used the service and the recruitment records for seven members of staff. We also reviewed records relating to the management and quality assurance of the service.

Updated 28 November 2017

The Elms provides accommodation and personal care for up to three people with learning disabilities, and personal care for people with learning disabilities in shared lives accommodation. There were three people residing at The Elms and 32 people receiving personal care in their own homes at the time of the inspection.

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 9 October 2015, the service was rated as Good. At this inspection the service has again been rated as Good.

The service provided safe care to people living in their own homes. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people from harm and followed the provider’s policies to provide people’s prescribed medicines safely.

There were enough suitably skilled staff to meet people’s needs. People received their care at the agreed times. Staff had been recruited using safe recruitment practices; people had been involved in developing interview questions to help find suitable staff.

People received care from staff that had received training to meet people’s specific needs and regular supervision to carry out their roles.

People received care from a regular staff group who knew them well which helped to develop positive relationships. People were treated with respect and helped to maintain their dignity.

People received a balanced diet from staff that understood their dietary needs. People were helped to maintain their independence and dignity through the consideration and support from staff.

People were supported to access healthcare professionals and staff worked closely with health services when required.

People’s risks were assessed and staff followed personalised care plans to mitigate these risks. Care plans were updated regularly and people and their relatives were involved in care planning where possible.

Staff sought people’s consent before providing care and people’s mental capacity was assessed in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The provider and manager continually assessed, monitored and evaluated the quality of the service to identify areas for improvement and implement change where required.