Background to this inspection
Updated
9 March 2022
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 8 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service short notice of the inspection.
Updated
9 March 2022
St Brigas is a residential care home providing personal to up to 17 people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 16 people.
The service is 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, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 17 people. 16 people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. Although the size of the property didn’t seem to affect the service they received the building was identifiable as a care home. Identifying signs included the front gate being locked, and industrial bins indicating it was a care home. Staff wore normal clothing that helped not to identify the home as a care home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff and people felt the service was safe. Staff had a good understanding of abuse and most knew who to go to if they had concerns. People received their medicines safely and by enough staff to meet their needs. People and staff had access to effective hand washing facilities. Improvements had been made to the environment including covering radiators and checking hot water temperatures.
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.
The service applied 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 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.
People were supported by staff who felt supported and who received regular supervisions, training and an annual appraisal. People’s nutritional needs were met including an appropriate diet to meet their individual needs. People were supported with accessing health care professionals when required and they received an annual health check. People’s rooms were personalised including the décor and pictures and photos.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff promoted people’s independence, gave people choice and control and encouraged people to maintain relationships that were important to them.
Care plans were person centred and confirmed people’s like, dislikes and routines. Regular reviews were undertaken to ensure care and support was still adequate. People were happy with their care and the service had an easy read complaints policy.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 11 October 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found most improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
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.