The Progress Project

Updated 15 February 2020

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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Progress Project 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.

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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service and one relative to obtain their feedback. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, the provider’s compliance manager and a senior support worker. We observed the care and support provided to people and their interactions with staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included five care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

Updated 15 February 2020

About the service

The Progress Project is a residential care home providing personal care to 17 people with a range of mental health needs at the time of the inspection. The home can support up to 18 people.

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

People told us they felt safe living at the home. They were protected from the risk of abuse and harm by staff who had been trained appropriately and knew what action to take if they had any concerns. Risks to people had been identified and assessed, with guidance for staff on how to support people, which was followed. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and people had support from staff when they needed it. New staff were recruited safely. Medicines were well managed. The home was clean and smelled fresh. People were encouraged to undertake housekeeping tasks which promoted their independence.

Before people came to live at the home, their needs were assessed, to ensure the home could provide the level of care and support they required. People were consulted when referrals were made. People’s care and support needs were continually reviewed and assessed, with a view to rehabilitation back into the community. People received care from suitably trained staff and were encouraged in decisions relating to their care. 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 were supported to eat and drink in a healthy way and many were independent in food shopping and in the preparation of their meals. When people became unwell or needed support from a healthcare professionals, they were supported with appointments.

Staff were warm, kind and caring with people. People’s diverse needs were identified and catered for, so that care was delivered in a personalised way that met people’s preferences and encouraged their independence. People were treated with dignity and respect.

Care plans were detailed and reviewed with people. People had identified goals which helped in their rehabilitation journey. People were independent when accessing the community. They were encouraged to participate in physical exercise, educational opportunities and social interests in line with their preferences. Some people had voluntary or paid employment. People’s communication needs had been identified, so that staff communicated with them in a way that suited them. Complaints were managed in line with the provider’s policy.

People were happy living at the home and with the service they received. They and their relatives spoke positively about the home, and of the managers and staff. Feedback was obtained in a variety of ways, through surveys and at residents’ meetings. Professionals who had involvement with the service spoke highly of the home. The service worked in partnership with others to benefit people’s care. A robust system of audits monitored and measured the service and were effective in driving improvement.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The rating at this service was good (published 1 August 2018).

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.