Archived: Mornington House

Updated 19 November 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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 4 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 19 November 2020

Mornington House is a small care home registered to support people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder and can accommodate up to 8 adults who need support to live independent lives. Bedrooms are situated on the ground and the first floor and a lift is fitted for people who have mobility problems.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going 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.

At the time of the inspection there were 8 people receiving a service. The service refers to people who use the service as “service users” so we will refer to them as such throughout this report.

There was an appropriate safeguarding policy and procedure in place and staff had received training and were clear about their roles when asked about this during the inspection visit.

Staff were recruited through a robust procedure and there was a settled team in place with a low turnover of staff.

Medication was administered safely with clear systems and procedures in place. Service users were encouraged to manage their own medication where appropriate and this was monitored and reviewed to ensure that it was appropriate.

Service user’s care and support needs had been thoroughly assessed. Care plans demonstrated the service user’s involvement and were written in line with their needs and this was acknowledged by the service users that we spoke with during the inspection visit. The service was flexible and care plans could be altered to suit the persons changing needs.

The service was working within the legal requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Service Users were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives with the right balance between empowerment and protection.

Service users told us the staff team were kind and friendly and that they were involved in the planning of their care and support and in reviews about this.

The service produced a welcome pack which included information about the service.

There was a human rights policy in place and service users reported being treated with dignity and respect and this was also observed as being integral to the service during the inspection.

Service users were supported to follow their interests and hobbies, both in the home and in the community. This was evident in both the care plans and what service users told us.

There was a relevant complaints procedure that was accessible. There had been no recent complaints. The service had received a number of compliments from service users and their families.

There was a strong management structure in place that was visible and accessible. Staff felt supported by the management team and reported a high level of job satisfaction. Staff supervisions and meetings were held on a regular basis and encouraged an open learning culture.

Service user feedback was sought regularly including before every service user meeting.

Audits and quality checks were undertaken on a regular basis and any issues or concerns addressed with appropriate actions.

The service was committed to partnership working and is involved in local groups where best practice and learning are shared between providers in the local area.