Archived: Aurora

Updated 27 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 the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 10 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 27 November 2020

Aurora is a residential care home for up to eight adults with learning disabilities. Aurora is a large Edwardian house with accommodation on three floors and a large communal open-plan lounge/dining-room/kitchen in a ground floor extension at the rear of the property. There were eight people in residence when we visited.

At our last inspection 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.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good

People felt safe living at Aurora, with the staff, the support the staff gave them and with the environment. Staff were trained and competent to recognise and report any abuse or avoidable harm so that people were protected. Staff’s positive risk-taking approach meant that risks were minimised without limiting people’s freedom to take appropriate risks.

There was a sufficient number of staff with the right experience, skills and knowledge deployed to make sure that people were kept as safe as possible. There was an effective recruitment process in place to reduce the risk of unsuitable staff being employed. Staff were clear about their responsibility to report accidents, incidents and concerns and they followed the correct procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Medicines were managed safely.

Staff received induction, training and support to enable them to do their job well. Staff supported people to do their shopping, cook their meals and encouraged them to eat a balanced, nutritious diet. External healthcare professionals such as GPs, dentists and opticians worked with staff to help people maintain their health.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People and their relatives liked the staff and described them as really kind, helpful and nice. Staff made people feel they mattered and knew each person, and the details about the support the person needed, very well. Relationships between people and staff were based on mutual trust and respect.

People were involved in planning their support and information about advocacy services was available if anyone wanted an independent person to assist them with their affairs. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible. People could have been supported to be more independent with preparing their own, healthy meals.

Each person’s support plan was fully personalised, agreed with the person and gave staff sufficient guidance to support the person in the way that would help them attain their goals. People planned their own activities and outings, with support from their keyworkers. The service had been responsive to people’s needs in a number of ways.

A complaints process was in place and people, their relatives and staff were confident that any issues would be addressed by the registered manager. End-of-life care had not been provided but would be discussed with the person, their relatives and external professionals if the need arose .

The registered manager provided good, pro-active leadership and ensured that staff were clear about their role to provide people with a high quality service, thus upholding the values of the service. Staff felt well supported, fully included and happy to be working at Aurora.

A quality assurance system was in place, including a number of ways in which people, their relatives, staff and other stakeholders were asked to give their views about the service and how it could be improved. Audits and monitoring checks on various aspects of the service were carried out.

The registered manager was aware of their responsibility to uphold legal requirements, including notifying the CQC of various matters. The service worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure that joined-up care was provided to people.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.