Archived: Newtondale

Updated 12 October 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

A comprehensive inspection took place on 13 September 2018 and was announced. The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector.

We used the information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service and requested feedback from other stakeholders. These included the local Healthwatch, the local authority safeguarding team and local authority commissioning and contracts department. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

On the day of the inspection one person was living at Newtondale. We spoke with the registered manager, two care staff and the person using the service.

We looked at one person’s care plan reviewed medication administration records. The recruitment records, supervision, appraisal and training documents for three staff members were also looked at. We reviewed documents and records that related to the management of the service. This included audits, maintenance records, risk assessments and policies and procedures.

Updated 12 October 2018

This announced inspection was carried out on 13 September 2018. We contacted the service on 12 September 2018 to give notice of our visit because this is a small service and the person living there is often out during the day. We needed to be sure people would be available when we visited.

Newtondale 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 provides personal care and accommodation for one person with a learning disability and/or autism.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the 'Registering the Right Support' and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Systems and processes were in place to keep people safe and risks associated with the person’s care needs had been assessed. There were sufficient staff to meet the person’s needs and staff recruitment processes and procedures were robust.

Staff received appropriate induction, supervision and training to provide safe and effective care. The registered manager worked in partnership with healthcare professionals and other organisations to meet the person’s needs.

Observations showed staff were compassionate, kind and caring and had developed good relationships with the person using the service. Staff knew the person well and promoted their dignity and respected their privacy. Care plans detailed and provided staff with guidance on how to meet the individual’s needs. The person using the service was provided with the care, support and equipment they needed to maintain their independence.

The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; policies and procedures in the service supported this practice.

Medicines were managed safely and the individual’s nutritional needs were met. A range of activities were available for the person to participate in. The person using the service was supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.

The registered provider had a procedure for receiving and responding to complaints about the service. Staff spoken with were fully aware of their responsibilities in supporting people if they needed to complain about the service they received. The person using the service had access to an advocate.

The provider and registered manager consistently monitored the quality of the service and made changes to improve and develop the service, taking into account people’s needs and views. The person knew the registered manager and was confident in approaching them. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and listened.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.