Background to this inspection
Updated
14 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.
Service and service type
Royal Mencap Society - 4 Meadow View 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 had a manager registered with the CQC. 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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced on the first day, days two and three were announced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with two members of staff, the registered and assistant manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records, one staff recruitment file, as well as induction and training records. We reviewed two people’s medication records. We looked at other records relating to the management, quality and safety of the service
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance and servicing records. We received feedback from a professional who had experience of the service.
Updated
14 January 2020
About the service
Royal Mencap Society - 4 Meadow View is a residential care home providing personal care for up to four people who have learning disabilities or an autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection four people were living at the service.
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 told us they felt safe living at the service. For people who were unable to verbalise how they felt, we observed them to be happy and we saw that they knew care staff well and were confident in approaching them at any time. Staff knew who to speak with if they had any concerns about people and ensuring their safety.
There were sufficient numbers of staff available to support people safely. Risks were well managed, and people received their medication as prescribed.
People received care in a person-centred way based on their preferences and wishes. There was a stable staff team who were knowledgeable about the people living at the service and had built trusting and meaningful relationships with them.
People were treated with dignity, kindness and compassion. There was a caring and friendly atmosphere in the service between staff and people using the service.
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.
People's health needs were closely monitored. Any changes in their needs were updated in their care plans. and reflected in the care they received.
People were supported to engage in meaningful activities of their choice and were involved in their local community.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure people 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.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. We received positive feedback about the quality of care and support people received and the overall management of the service from people and staff.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 19 May 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.