Edgar Street Residential Home

Updated 17 February 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 25 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 17 February 2022

This announced inspection took place on 18 September 2017. At the previous inspection in June 2015 we found the service was meeting all the regulations we reviewed.

Edgar Street provides accommodation and personal care for six adults with learning disabilities; the service specialises in providing a service for women. At the time of the inspection there were six women accommodated in the home.

Edgar Street is a semi-detached domestic style house in a residential area on the outskirts of Accrington. It is close to local amenities and the town's amenities are within easy reach with a bus route and rail transport near to the home. Accommodation is in single occupancy bedrooms. There is a patio and garden for the use of people living in the home.

The provider had a registered manager in place as required by the conditions of their registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported by staff who were highly caring and compassionate. Staff knew people and their backgrounds well and used this knowledge to communicate effectively with them. Professionals and relatives commented about the exemplary way in which the staff team worked together, often going above and beyond what would normally be expected of them, to ensure people were able to achieve their goals and develop their potential.

People were treated with the utmost respect at all times. Staff protected their privacy, involved them in decisions about their care and promoted their independence.

The service was well-led. People who used the service were seen as central to the decision making process about how the home was run. The registered manager and staff demonstrated a commitment to providing the highest quality of care which enabled people to live their lives as fully as possible.

There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. The registered manager demonstrated a clear commitment to continuing to drive forward improvements in the service for the benefit of the people who lived in the home.

The registered manager and staff had developed effective partnerships with other organisations. As a result people who used the service had access to specialist assessment. The outcomes of these assessments were used to ensure people were provided with the highest quality care and support.

There were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs. Recruitment procedures helped ensure only suitable staff were employed. Staff knew the correct action to take to protect people from the risk of harm and supported them to receive their medicines safely.

Risk assessments were in place in relation to each individual’s care and health needs as well as any environmental risks; these helped to protect the health and welfare of people who used the service and staff.

People were cared for in a safe and clean environment. Staff had received appropriate training to manage the risk of cross infection in the home.

Staff received the induction, training and supervision necessary to help them to deliver effective care. 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.

People were supported to have a healthy diet. Systems were in place to help ensure people’s health and nutritional needs were met.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and goals. They demonstrated a commitment to providing high quality support which was personalised and tailored to the needs of each individual. People who used the service told us they were able to make changes to their support plan as their needs or interests changed.

There were opportunities for involvement in meaningful activities both inside and outside the home. Activities provided people with opportunities to develop their skills, as well as promoting their well-being and independence. People told us staff supported them to maintain contact with their friends and family.

Staff we spoke with told us they enjoyed working in the service and that the registered manager was very supportive and approachable. Regular staff meetings meant that staff were able to make suggestions about how the service could be improved. Staff told us their views were always listened to.

Effective systems were in place to respond to any complaints or minor concerns received in the home.