Background to this inspection
Updated
21 September 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 was a comprehensive inspection and took place on 31 August 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Before we visited we looked at previous inspection reports and notifications we had received. Services tell us about important events relating to the care they provide using a notification. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who use the service. We spoke with both people about their views on the quality of the care and support being provided. We sought feedback from three healthcare professionals who supported the service to meet people’s care needs. During our inspection we looked around the premises and observed the interactions between people using the service and staff.
We looked at documents that related to people’s care and support and the management of the service. We reviewed a range of records which included two care and support plans and daily records, staff training records, staff duty rosters, staff personnel files, policies and procedures and quality monitoring documents.
During the visit we met both people who use the service. We spoke with the area care manager, deputy home manager and three care staff.
Updated
21 September 2017
92 Wilcot Avenue is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to three adults with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were two people living in the home. The service is one of many, run by the White Horse Care Trust, within Wiltshire and Swindon.
At the last inspection in April 2015, the service was rated as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service had remained ‘Good’.
A registered manager was employed by the service but was not present during our inspection. Our inspection was supported by the deputy manager who has responsibility for the day to day running of the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People received care and support from staff who were kind and attentive. Both people said they liked staff. Any requests for support were responded to promptly. People looked relaxed and comfortable in the presence of staff.
Care plans were personalised and contained information on people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. Care plans were reviewed regularly and updated when changes to people’s care and support was required.
Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise these risks. Staff had the knowledge to identify safeguarding concerns and knew their responsibilities for reporting any concerns.
People were supported to have choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People had access to a range of activities which supported their hobbies and interests.
People were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts. Staff supported people to plan their weekly menu and shop for the necessary food items. Staff told us whilst there was a menu plan in place, alternative meals could be sourced should people not want the option available.
Information on complaints was in an accessible format and discussed with people each month. The service held monthly meetings for people to share their views about the care and support they received.
Medicines were stored and managed safely. However where people required ‘as necessary’ medicines, the protocols for these were not personal. People were supported to access appropriate health and social care professionals to maintain their emotional and physical well-being.
Sufficient numbers of staff were deployed to meet people’s needs. The service followed safe recruitment practices. People were supported by staff who access to a range of training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.
Staff we spoke with said they felt supported and were positive about working within the service.
Whilst some audits were in place to monitor the quality of service and identify improvements, monthly manager reports had not been completed since December 2016. There were no records available to evidence senior management had undertaken any audits of the service. The area care manager was in the process of addressing this by completing a whole home audit.