EVHM LLP - 370 The Ridge

Updated 11 December 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 conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type

370 The Ridge is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection because some of the people using it could become anxious with unfamiliar visitors. We needed to ensure staff had time to prepare people for our visit.

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 all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. Other people were not able to verbally share their experiences. Therefore, we observed support being provided and interactions between staff and people. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, and three care workers. We also pathway tracked two people. This where is where we check that the care and support people receive is consistent and meets all their needs.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four 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 continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with five professionals who supported people living at the service. We also spoke with two relatives about their experiences of the service.

Updated 11 December 2019

About the service

370 The Ridge is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities. At the time of inspection, six people were living there.

370 The Ridge was built over two floors, with large bedrooms, communal areas such as a dining room and lounge and a large accessible garden that people used frequently.

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

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 and their relatives told us they felt safe. One relative said, “My relative has never had any serious incidents and this reinforces to me how conscientious staff are in looking out for people.” Some people couldn’t tell us how they felt, however they appeared calm and happy around staff. People had robust assessments that identified areas of risk and how they could be mitigated. People received their medicines safely. Where incidents and accidents had occurred, staff had worked together to learn lessons and act to ensure this didn’t reoccur.

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 and their relatives told us that people were supported to see a variety of health and social care professionals to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing. One relative explained that when their relative was unwell, “Staff worked with GPs and other professionals to improve their health. We had lots of meetings.” People’s nutritional and hydration needs were consistently met. The house had been adapted to meet people’s needs and preferences, whilst ensuring it still felt like home. Staff were supported with induction, regular training and supervision, to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs.

It was clear that people felt comfortable around staff that they had built strong relationships with. People sought out staff to engage and spend time with. A relative said, “It really seems like staff are like family to people.” People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and to develop new skills. People’s privacy and dignity was always promoted by staff.

People’s lives were centred around their wishes and preferences. Support needs were regularly reviewed with them and a relative said, “Staff are very responsive, especially when people’s needs change.” People were involved in a variety of activities that were personalised to their interests and goals. People and relatives told us they had never had to complain but they knew who to speak to and were confident they would be listened to. End of life wishes, and preferences had been explored with people in the event they became suddenly unwell.

Everyone we spoke to was complimentary about the registered manager. One relative said, “They are very approachable and look at things from people's point of view.” Staff told us they felt an open, transparent and team working culture was promoted. Feedback had been sought from people, their relatives and staff to improve service provision. The registered manager valued working in partnership with others and sought regular learning opportunities to ensure they were up to date with best practice guidance.

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 31 January 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.