Poplars

Updated 8 March 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and one Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Poplars is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and we spent time observing people receive care and support. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, and support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple 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 spoke to three relatives of people who lived at Poplars about their experience of the care provided. We spoke to two health and social care professionals who worked alongside the service. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at further care records, training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 8 March 2022

About the service

Poplars is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to up to six people with learning disabilities and autism in one building. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the service.

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

People told they felt safe at the service. Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and knew how to manage risks associated with their care. Staff understood their responsibilities in terms of keeping people safe from abuse and avoidable harm. Action had been taken to reduce the risk of the spread of infection and the provider had ensured practices were updated according to national guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People's needs and choices were assessed and planned for, and their preferences had been taken into account. Staff were safely recruited and inducted. They had access to training and regular supervision to ensure they had the skills to support people effectively.

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.

People were supported by care staff that genuinely cared about them and their wellbeing. Staff used respectful language to communicate with and about the needs of the people they were supporting.

People experienced person-centred care that reflect their wishes and preferences. Staff adapted to support people as individuals and used flexible approaches to support people's wellbeing. People were part of their local communities. Staff were skilled at understanding and meeting people's communication needs.

There were systems in place that worked to ensure areas in need of improvement were identified and actions were taken to make changes when needed so that people received good quality care. The registered manager was approachable and supportive, staff enjoyed working at the service and were listened to.

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: Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and independence.

People had individual goals and objectives which they were supported by staff to identify and work towards. People were encouraged to have control in their daily lives and staff ensured people were able to live as independently as possible.

Right care: Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights.

Staff knew people well and ensured that people received the support they needed to meet their individual care needs. People’s rights were promoted, and they were protected from discrimination. People were treated with dignity and their privacy was respected.

Right culture: Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

The culture of the service was open and empowering to people. The management team had ensured that there was a positive ethos at the service which enabled people to feel more confident and encouraged them to take on new challenges and to be a part of their local community.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 9 May 2019 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good (published on 27 April 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.