Archived: Trent House

Updated 8 December 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

This inspection took place on 8 November 2017 and was unannounced. Due to the size of the service the inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Before the inspection we gathered information about the service. We reviewed records held by CQC which included notifications, complaints and any safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern at the inspection.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

As part of our inspection we spoke with three people, two relatives and three staff. We observed caring interactions between people and staff. We reviewed the care plans for three people, medicines records and the records of accidents and incidents. We looked at mental capacity assessments and applications made to deprive people of their liberty. Following our inspection we received feedback from a further two relatives.

We looked at records of staff training and supervision. We saw records of quality assurance audits. We looked at a selection of policies and procedures and health and safety audits. We also looked at minutes of meetings of staff, people and relatives. Following the inspection we received feedback from one social care professional.

Our last inspection was in October 2015 in which we gave the service a ‘Good’ rating.

Updated 8 December 2017

The inspection took place on 8 November 2017 and was unannounced.

Trent House is a home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were five people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 did identify areas in which the provider was not meeting their legal requirements.

Quality assurance audits were carried out and actions identified completed. Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where restrictions were in place for people the proper procedures were followed. People were consulted at all stages in relation to their care. We saw evidence that people made their own decisions about what they wished to do.

People were shown respect by staff and encouraged to be independent. Staff were seen to be caring and kind to people. People were happy living in the house and we found the environment was clean, hygienic and homely. The environment was suitable for the people living there.

People’s medicines were managed safely. Important information about people’s healthcare needs and medicines were recorded in their care plans. Staff worked alongside healthcare professionals to meet people’s health needs. Where any accidents or incidents occurred staff took appropriate action in response to them.

People were cared for by sufficient numbers of staff. We did not see people having to wait to receive care or support. Appropriate checks were carried out when recruiting staff to ensure that they were suitable for their roles. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to keeping people safe. Both in respect of keeping people safe from harm because individual risks had been identified and also in respect of signs of abuse. People were comfortable with speaking with staff if they had any concerns.

There was a procedure in place to help ensure that people were kept safe in the event of an emergency. People lived in a safe environment. Regular checks were made on equipment and services within the house to check they were well maintained.

People were provided with food that matched their preferences. People had access to activities that suited their needs and to help ensure they did not feel isolated. People’s individuality and what mattered to them was recognised by staff. Activities were meaningful to people and they had the opportunity to attend events outside of the house and local community.

The registered manager created a positive culture and staff felt supported by here. Staff received training appropriate to their roles and the provider’s values. Staff benefited from regular supervision and appraisals.