Archived: Dorset Learning Disability Service - 4 Romulus Close

Updated 25 July 2021

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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Dorset Learning Disability Service - 4 Romulus Close 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 registered with the Care Quality Commission.

This inspection was announced. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

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 also reviewed information we had received about the service and from the provider since our last inspection.

During the inspection-

We spent time with three people who used the service and observed the support they received. We spoke with/received feedback from five staff members and the service manager who had been overseeing the home.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and two people’s medication records. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection.

We received feedback from two relatives of people living in the home and three social care professional who had worked closely with people who lived in the home.

Updated 25 July 2021

About the service

Dorset Learning Disability Service - 4 Romulus Close is a small residential home providing personal care to four people with learning difficulties, autism and mental health needs. At the time of the inspection there were four people living at the service.

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

People were supported by staff who knew them well and were committed to enabling them to live fulfilled lives. People received support that was relaxed and natural and we observed care and respect between everyone living and working in the home.

There were enough staff and they were deployed to meet people’s needs. Staff had received training and support to work in less restrictive ways and were positive about the impact of these changes on the lives of people they supported.

People were supported by staff who understood the risks they faced and how best to reduce these risks. They were confident that any concerns they had about a person’s welfare would be acted on.

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 contacted health professionals when required and worked closely with social care professionals to ensure good, safe care.

People lived in a home that was kept clean and infection prevention and control measures were in place to reduce the risks associated with Covid-19. Staff wore their PPE appropriately.

There had been a sustained period of management change. However, staff felt supported and understood their roles. The systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service were robust and action plans had been effective in improving the support people received.

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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support:

• The layout of the home supported people to live independently and make decisions about their lives. Staff supported people to live lives that were fulfilling.

Right care:

• The care provided was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and upheld their human rights.

Right culture:

• The values, attitudes and resultant behaviours of senior staff and the staff supporting people ensured people living in the home were leading more empowered lives within their communities.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

At the last five domain inspection of the service (published January 2020) there had been a deterioration in the rating for four key questions. ‘Is the service safe?’, ‘Is the service effective?’ and ‘Is the service caring?’ had changed from good to requires improvement. The key question ‘Is the service well led?’ had deteriorated from requires improvement to inadequate.

We undertook a targeted inspection (published September 2020) in response to concerns identified through monitoring calls with the manager of the service. We found some improvements at this inspection. A targeted inspection does not provide a new rating.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made. The service was no longer in breach of regulation.

Why we inspected

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of this service in December 2019 (published January 2020). Breaches of legal requirements were found. We took enforcement action that required the provider to report to us about improvements made. We undertook this inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements.

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.