Vincent House

Updated 12 April 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 18 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 12 April 2022

We inspected Vincent House on 17 December 2018 and 15 January 2019. The inspection was announced. When we last inspected the service in February 2017 we found the provider was meeting the legal requirements in the areas that we looked at and rated the service as 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.

Vincent House 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.

Vincent House is a large terraced house which is registered to accommodate a maximum number of six people with a learning disability. There is a dedicated male and female unit, each with three en-suite bedrooms. At the time of the inspection there were four people using the service.

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. Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

Staff understood the procedure they needed to follow if they suspected abuse might be taking place. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and minimise them occurring.

Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies around administering medicines were regularly checked.

The home was clean and tidy and communal areas were well maintained. Appropriate personal protective equipment and hand washing facilities were available. Appropriate checks of the building and maintenance systems were undertaken to ensure health and safety was maintained.

There were enough staff employed and on duty to meet people’s needs. We found safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff started work.

People were supported by a team of staff who were knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. A training plan was in place.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff were aware of people’s nutritional needs and people were protected from the risk of poor nutrition. Care records contained evidence of people being supported during visits to and from external health care specialists.

People told us staff were kind and caring. Care plans detailed people’s needs and preferences. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information that was meeting people’s care needs. People had access to a range of activities. The service had a clear process for handling complaints.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and felt supported by the registered manager. Quality assurance processes were in place and regularly carried out by the registered manager, senior staff and nominated individual, to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Feedback was sought from people who used the service through meetings and surveys. This information was analysed and action plans produced when needed.