The Kent Autistic Trust - 11a Curlew Crescent

Updated 9 January 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 07 December 2020 and was announced.

Updated 9 January 2021

This inspection was carried out on 19 April 2017. The inspection was unannounced.

Kent Autistic Trust – 11a Curlew Crescent is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to six adults with an autistic spectrum condition. The service is close to local amenities such as shops, pubs and public transport networks. Facilities in the home include; communal bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and lounge/diner, which has doors to the enclosed garden at the rear of the property. Kent Autistic Trust provides a range of services for people with autism including residential care, supported living, day opportunities and family support. There were six people living in the home when we inspected.

People living in the home had varying levels of communication. Some people were able to verbally communicate whilst two people did not. One person used their own sign language, which staff understood, they helped the person to communicate with others by translating what the person was communicating. Staff used different methods to communicate with each person which was individual to each of their needs.

At the last inspection on 20 April 2015, the service was rated Good overall but requires improvement in safe. This is because we had made a recommendation to move a freezer from the laundry room.

The management of the service was overseen by a board of trustees for The Kent Autistic Trust. Trustees and the chief executive officer for the trust visited the service regularly.

The service has a registered manager. 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.

At this inspection we found the service was outstanding.

Staff and people received additional support and guidance from the provider’s positive behaviour support team. Strategies were in place to manage any incidents of heightened anxiety and behaviours that others may find challenging.

People and their relatives had opportunities to give feedback about the service in a variety of ways. Relatives and professionals were positive about the service received.

The service provided outstanding care and support to people enabling them to live as fulfilled and meaningful lives as possible.

The provider had sustained outstanding practice, development and improvement at the service. The provider had achieved accreditation and continued to work in partnership with organisations to develop best practice within the service. Staff were highly motivated and were actively involved in and contributed to continuous development and improvement.

The provider had a strong set of values that were embedded into staffs practice and the way the service was managed. Staff were committed and proud of the service. The provider and registered manager used effective systems to continually monitor and improve the quality of the service.

Staff knew how to protect people from the risk of abuse or harm. They followed appropriate guidance to minimise identified risks to people's health, safety and welfare. Risks associated with food storage and infection control were well managed. The chest freezer had been moved from the laundry room.

The feedback we received from relatives and health and social care professionals was excellent. They spoke very highly of the registered manager and the staff. Everyone within the organisation was highly motivated and committed to ensuring people that used the service had good quality care.

The provider operated safe and robust recruitment and selection procedures to make sure staff were suitable and safe to work with people. There were suitable numbers of staff to safely meet people’s needs. Staff received regular training and supervision to help them to meet people's needs effectively.

People received their medicines when they should and medicines were handled safely.

The registered manager understood their responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People were supported to make their own decisions. Staff respected people’s decisions.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs. People received the support they needed to stay healthy and to access healthcare services.

Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. Interactions between staff and people were caring and kind. Staff were patient, compassionate and they demonstrated affection and warmth in their discussions with people.

Care plans detailed people’s preferred routines, their wishes and preferences. They detailed what people were able to do for themselves and what support was required from staff to aid their independence wherever possible. People were involved in review meetings about their support and aspirations.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.