20 Towngate East

Updated 10 October 2019

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

20 Towngate East is a ‘care service’. People in care services receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single packages under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Notice of inspection

This was an unannounced inspection.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with everyone living at the service, but most had limited communication. We contacted six family members. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager. We also had communication with a physiotherapist and visiting Yoga teacher.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and eight medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 10 October 2019

About the service

20 Towngate East is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to eight people living with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection there were eight people living at the service.

20 Towngate East is an adapted house. People living have their own room and access to a range of shared facilities, including a large garden area.

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 treated with kindness and compassion. There was a happy family atmosphere, people and staff cared about each other and enjoyed spending time together.

Systems were in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and to investigate any concerns. Risks linked to people’s care were assessed and monitored. People received care from staff who knew them well and had relevant experience.

People were supported appropriately with their medicines and care was based on an assessment of their needs and their choices. People were supported to regularly access health care service to maintain their wellbeing. Sufficient home cooked food and refreshments were provided.

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.

A range of activities, outings and holidays were arranged for people to enjoy. The service had a large garden area which would benefit from further update. We have made a recommendation regarding this.

Staff had received suitable training and felt supported.

The service had regard for 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 broadly 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 opportunities to gain new skills and become more independent.

Appropriate quality checks and audits were undertaken.

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 22 March 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.