Newton House

About the service

Newton House is a residential care home providing personal care and support for up to seven people with a learning disability, some of whom also have needs associated with autism. Twenty-four hour support is provided by a team of staff. At the time of inspection six people were living in the service.

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

Right Support

• The registered person did not use safe recruitment procedures to ensure people were supported by staff who were of good character, suitable for their role and had appropriate experience.

• We have made a recommendation about the management of some medicines.

• We have made a recommendation that ongoing staff training be updated in line with the latest best practice guidelines for social care staff.

• The registered manager and the staff team supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence, and they had control over their own lives.

• Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life.

• People were supported by staff to pursue their interests and achieve their aspirations and goals.

• The service gave people care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment that met their sensory and physical needs.

• People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms.

• Staff supported people to take part in activities and pursue their interests in their local area.

• Staff enabled people to access specialist health and social care support in the community.

• Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their needs.

• Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

Right Care

• Staff promoted equality and diversity in their support for people. They understood people’s diverse needs and provided appropriate care.

• People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs.

• Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face. Where appropriate, staff encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.

• Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.

• The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.

• People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs.

• We observed people had individual ways of communicating, using body language, sounds, Makaton (a form of sign language), pictures and symbols. They could interact comfortably with staff and the registered manager in their care and support because staff had the necessary skills to understand them.

• People’s care and support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

• People could take part in activities and pursue interests that were tailored to them. The service gave people opportunities to try new activities that enhanced and enriched their lives.

Right culture

• The registered person did not always follow their quality assurance policy effectively so they could assess, monitor and mitigate any risks relating the health, safety and welfare of people using services, the service and others.

• People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff.

• People received good quality care, support and treatment because competent and caring staff and the registered manager could meet their needs and wishes. Staff knew and understood people well and were responsive.

• People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs.

• The registered manager and staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did.

• People and those important to them were involved in planning their care. Relatives felt included and well informed about their family member. They felt the service provided great support and care to people.

• The service sought views from people and those important to them, and other professionals about the quality of the service. Staff valued and acted upon people’s views.

• The registered manager and staff ensured risks of a closed culture were minimised so that people received support based on transparency, respect and positive culture in the service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 15 February 2019.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to recruitment and good governance at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.