Potensial Limited - 1 Newlands Drive

We found the following examples of good practice.

There had been a recent outbreak of COVID-19 at the home with some people and staff testing positive for COVID-19. The outbreak was safely managed in line with government guidance.

Visits to the home were carried out safely in line with current government guidance. Visitors were provided with regular updates about visiting arrangements. They were encouraged to pre-book visits to help minimise the amount of people in the premises at any one time. Before entering, visitors including visiting professionals were required to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test, have their temperature checked and show their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Staff were provided with the most up to date infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance and were trained in IPC including how to safely use and remove personal protective equipment (PPE). There was a good stock of PPE available to staff and they used and disposed of it safely.

Regular testing for COVID-19 was carried out for people living at the home and staff and testing records were maintained.

All non-exempt staff employed were vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with legal requirements.

1 Newlands Drive is a 'care home' that provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people who have a learning disability and/or mental health support needs. Two domestic style properties had been adapted and adjoined. Three people lived in one property and seven people lived in the other property. People on either side of the home had access to their own front door, communal living areas, kitchen and laundry facilities as well as well-maintained garden areas. The care home is in a residential area of Wallasey, there were no identifiable signs to suggest it was a care home and people had access to the local community and amenities.

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.

The service was a large home, somewhat bigger than most domestic style properties. However, due to the adaptations that had taken place, the size of the service was not having a negative impact on people who were living there.

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

Quality assurance measures were in place although these were not always effective. The manager was aware of the improvements that were required and told us they were committed to making a positive difference in this area. We have made a recommendation in relation to overall governance and quality assurance processes.

Risk management and safety monitoring procedures were in place. People’s level of risk was managed and supported by staff who were familiar with their support needs.

A recent recruitment drive meant that staffing levels had started to improve; people were receiving support from Newlands Drive staff and regular agency staff who were familiar with people’s support needs. Recruitment systems were in place; although a recent recruitment audit identified areas of development that were required.

Staff told us that they received support from the manager, supervisions and appraisals were also scheduled in with each member of staff. A variety of different mandatory and bespoke training courses were also provided.

Safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures were in place. Staff knew how to report their concerns and understood the importance of keeping people safe.

Safe medication procedures were in place. Staff received medication training, regularly had their competency levels checked and supported people with their medicines in a safe and effective way.

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, providing new skills and maintaining independence.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Care records contained relevant nutrition and hydration information, that staff needed to follow. risks were effectively managed, and staff provided the relevant care and support people required.

We observed staff providing kind, friendly and compassionate care. It was evident throughout the inspection that staff knew people well and were able to provide a person-centred level of support that people needed.

Staff primarily supported people with one to one activities however ‘group’ activities were taking place when this was requested. Activities were specifically tailored and centred around people’s individual hobbies and interests.

The registered provider had an up to date complaints policy in place. Complaints were appropriately managed and responded to in line with company policy.

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:

The last rating for this service was ‘good’ (published 3 July 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.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We considered the service to be outstanding in the way that people were encouraged and supported to participate in work and leisure activities, to achieve their goals and follow their dreams.

There were enough staff to meet people’s support needs and the staff had good knowledge of the individuals who lived at the home. New staff had been recruited safely and all staff completed a corporate training programme. Staff had regular individual supervision meetings.

The home was clean and a programme of redecoration and refurbishment was continuing. Regular health and safety checks were carried out. People were all registered with a local health centre and had an annual health check.

Menus were planned weekly by the people who lived at the home.

Care files gave details of people’s medical history and medication, and information about the person’s life and their preferences. A monthly review of all aspects of the person’s support was recorded by their keyworker.

The home implemented various methods of monitoring the quality of the service including daily checks, monthly audits, monthly meetings for staff and service users and satisfaction surveys.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

People were all mobile and in good health and were supported to access health services as needed. There was a detailed pen picture in the front of people's care files and these provided an overview of the person's history, support needs, and personal preferences. A new system of record keeping made important information clearer and easier to access.

The home had safeguarding policies and procedures and all of the staff had received training about recognising and reporting abuse.

The staff rota was displayed in the staff office and was written weekly to ensure that staff hours met people's needs both in the house and for one to one support in the community.

The home implemented various methods of monitoring the quality of the service including daily checks, monthly audits, and satisfaction surveys. A monthly key worker summary was written for each of the people who lived at the home.

We spoke with residents who were able to communicate with us. One person using sign language communicated through a member of staff. Another person had limited communication but also expressed their thoughts and feelings using body language and facial expressions.

Observations we made demonstrated people living there were relaxed and responded positively with staff members. We saw they liked to move around the home, use their rooms and other communal areas. There were no restrictions noted and staff were seen to encourage people to make choices about what they wanted to do during the day.

Comments from staff and residents were all positive and included,

'I love living here.'

'The people are kind and nice.'

'We all get along well, there are enough of us to spend quality time with the people who live here.'

We contacted the Wirral contracts monitoring team. They told us they currently had no concerns with the service being provided by the home.