44 Glen Avenue

Updated 8 May 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. 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.

Service and service type

44 Glen Avenue 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

What we did before the 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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and the operations manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three 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 with two members of care staff. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 8 May 2021

About the service

44 Glen Avenue provides accommodation and support for up to four people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment. At the time of the inspection there were three people using the service.

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

People felt safe at the service and there were appropriate systems in place to safeguard people from harm. Individual and general risk assessments were complete and up to date and all health and safety measures were in place. Safe systems were in place for the management of medicines. Robust systems were in place with regard to infection control and prevention and staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing support.

Staff were recruited safely and there were sufficient staff to cover for annual leave and sickness. There was plenty of training on offer for staff and all mandatory training was complete and up to date.

Care plans included thorough assessments and a range of health and social information. People’s choices and preferences were documented and people were fully involved with the provision and review of their support. People’s nutritional and hydration needs, including special diets were followed and people were encouraged to take a good diet.

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.

Staff treated people with compassion and respect. People who used the service were encouraged and supported to be as independent as possible. People’s communication needs were documented and staff understood how best to communicate with each individual. People were encouraged to pursue their interests and pastimes.

Complaints, accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and actions taken to mitigate any further risk. The provider responded openly and honestly to any concerns or complaints.

Staff felt well supported with regular meetings and communication from management. Audits and quality assurance measures were in place to help ensure a high standard of care was maintained.

The service worked well with other agencies and professionals. Referrals to other services were made appropriately and in a timely way.

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.

This service was not currently supporting autistic people or people with a learning disability. However, the service was able to demonstrate how they could meet the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

The service ensured they maximised people’s choice, control and independence, was person centred and promoted dignity, privacy and human rights. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensured people using the service led confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

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 6 April 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection programme.

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.