Bruntsfield House

Updated 5 September 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care services.

This inspection took place on 19 August 2020 and was announced. The service was invited to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 5 September 2020

Bruntsfield House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under a contractual agreement with the local authority, health authority or the individual, if privately funded. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service is registered for seven people (residential) and six people were receiving a service when we visited.

Bruntsfield house is also a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in one independent supported living, extra care scheme which has two buildings at the same site and is located in Clacton on Sea. There are ten supported living flats overall, seven are located in the main building and 3 were in the adjacent building. It provides a service predominantly to people with learning disabilities and high complex needs and or mental health conditions. The service is also registered for thirteen community placements and ten people were receiving a service on the day we visited.

This service provides care and support to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is bought or rented, and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support service.

Not everyone using Bruntsfield house receives personal care; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection the registered provider was providing support to a total of ten people in the independent living, extra care schemes and six people in the residential service.

Whilst both services were in the same building each had separate entrances and operated independently, however are registered as the same location. The service is situated in a residential area of Little Clacton and is close to amenities and Clacton on Sea. The premises is set out on three floors in the main building with each person using the service having their own individual bedroom or flatlet and adequate communal facilities are available for people to make use of within the service.

At our last inspection on 27 January 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People felt safe using the service. Policies and procedures were in place in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. People's care planning considered risks to people and plans were in place to minimise these risks.

Safe recruitment practices helped ensure that only people suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed by the service.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. We saw that policies and guidance were available to staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act.

Staff were caring and supportive and people felt listened to. Staff received regular support and training to keep up to date with best practice.

Staff encouraged people and supported them to pursue their hobbies and interests and this was done with the staff team.

A system was in place to manage and monitor complaints and compliments about the service.

People had access to and were aware of the services complaints procedure.

People told us that staff asked them if they were ok and happy with the service. In addition, regular reviews and meetings took place to help ensure that people received the care and support they required.

Information was made accessible to people by being produced in different formats which included the use of photographs, different sized print and pictures.

People were supported with their eating and drinking needs when needed. Specific guidance was available to staff in relation to people's dietary needs.

People told us their privacy and dignity was protected and promoted.

Accidents and incidents were clearly recorded and reviewed by the registered manager to evidence any trends or patterns that may occur.

Systems and audits were in place to regularly check that people were receiving the care and support they required.

The service maintained links with other services within the area to promote change and good practice.

Further information is in the detailed findings below