Rowley House

Updated 8 January 2022

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 undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Rowley House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and 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.

The registered manager and directors were at the service during the inspection.

Notice of inspection

Short notice of this inspection was given as we wanted to make sure the person was at home for us to meet.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who had worked with the service. The provider completed a provider information return. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We briefly met the person who used the service. We received feedback about the service from one family member and two external health care professionals. We also spoke with three members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included the person’s risk assessments and care records. We looked at two 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 also reviewed.

Updated 8 January 2022

About the service

Rowley House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to two people living with for example, a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of inspection one person lived at the home.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for the person using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. The person’s support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to gain new skills and become more independent.

The person was safeguarded by staff who knew the signs and symptoms of and how to report concerns of abuse and manage risks. There were sufficient numbers of staff in place and recruitment was ongoing to allow the staffing levels required. Medicines were managed in a safe way.

The person’s support was provided by staff who had received the required training and supervision from the registered manager. The person’s dietary needs were known and met. Healthcare services were accessed on a regular and as needed basis. The person was 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 were kind and caring and treated the person with respect.

The person was supported to gain new skills and to be as independent as possible. Staff knew the person well and records held personalised information about the person’s preferences with regards to their care.

The person had access to social activities that met their interests. A complaints procedure was available for the person and their relative to access if they had a need.

The person received person centred care. The person, their relative and staff were given the opportunity to provide feedback. Audits took place to ensure the quality of the service was maintained.

Why we inspected

The service was registered with us on 18 September 2020 this was the first inspection.

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.

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

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.