Background to this inspection
Updated
16 November 2019
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
68 Conway Drive is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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
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 registered manager would be available at the service to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and two support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people's care plans, records and medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and an overview of training and supervision for all staff. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed, including quality assurance.
Updated
16 November 2019
About the service
Freedom Care Limited - 68 Conway Drive is a residential care home. This service supports younger people with learning disabilities and mental health needs; The service is registered to care for two people; there were two people using the service at the time of the inspection.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
Risks that people faced had been assessed and those identified were safely managed. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm. Staffing levels were appropriately managed. Enough staff were employed each day to meet people's needs, keep them safe and give them the opportunity to take part in their chosen activity. Medicines were managed safely and people were protected from the risk of infection.
Staff received a range of training appropriate to their role and people's needs, and were supported by the registered manager through regular supervision. People were encouraged and supported to eat a balanced diet to develop good nutrition. People were supported to access the healthcare they needed when they needed it.
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 respect and kindness and were able to communicate with them effectively. People were offered choice and control and had consented to their care and support. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible with activities of daily living, laundry, shopping, cooking and to socialise.
Staff and people told us they were able to give their views on the service. Staff told us they felt supported. The provider undertook quality assurance reviews to measure and monitor the standard of the service and drive improvement.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. The registered manager and the staff team showed a desire to improve on the service provided and in turn the quality of life experiences for people.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 4 April 2017).
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.