Isaac Newton House

Updated 3 August 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes and to people living in a supported living setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager 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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, area manager, quality manager and four support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four 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.

Updated 3 August 2022

About the service

Isaac Newton House is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people in their own homes.

The service is registered to provide support to people who are living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, mental Health, older people, people who misuse drugs and alcohol, physical disability, sensory Impairment and younger Adults.

Some people lived in a 'supported living' setting, where a small number of people lived together with support, so that they can live as independently as possible. At the time of our inspection the service was providing personal care to two people.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People received a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led service.

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 knew people well and responded to them appropriately and sensitively. People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and promoted their wellbeing.

Care plans were detailed and person-centred and provided clear guidance to staff on how to care for people effectively. Care plans were regularly reviewed and updated when required.

The service supported people in their own home. People were supported to keep their home safe, clean and to meet their sensory and physical needs. The communal areas were modern, and people had personalised their flats to reflect their preferences.

There was an effective quality monitoring system, which ensured checks and audits were carried out., People's views were obtained and listened to and shortfalls were addressed. Accidents and incidents were analysed so that lessons could be learned. The provider had oversight of the service and completed regular checks.

There were enough staff. Safe recruitment processes had been followed. Staff were trained and their skills and knowledge checked through competency assessments.

People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff had completed training in how to safeguard people and risk assessments were completed to identify potential hazards. People received their medicine as prescribed. The registered manager closely monitored the use of any ‘when required’ medicine. These were managed in an individualised 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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care and support provided to people maximised their choice, control and independence. People were involved in all aspects of their care and future planning. Care provided was centred around the person and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management team and support staff ensured people lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

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