Archived: Blenheim Avenue

Updated 18 December 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 was 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.

The inspection took place on 14 November 2018. This was an announced inspection, which meant the registered provider knew we would be visiting. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice. This was because it was a supported living service and we wanted to make sure that the registered manager, or someone who could act on their behalf, would be available to support us with our inspection. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service and provider. The provider had completed and sent us a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, such as what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at any complaints we received and statutory notifications sent to us by the provider. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We also contacted health and social care commissioners for their feedback on the service.

During the inspection, we spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives of the people. We spoke with two care staff and the registered manager.

We looked at four people’s care records and other records relating to the management of the service. This included four staff recruitment records, training documents, accident and incident records, complaints, medicine records, health and safety information and quality monitoring systems.

Updated 18 December 2018

This inspection took place on 14 November 2018 and was announced. Blenheim Avenue provides supported living and community based domiciliary care services, particularly to support people with learning disabilities from the Jewish community to live as independently as possible. Supported living is where people live in their own home and receive care and/or support in order to promote their independence.

At the last inspection in April 2016 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

At the time of the inspection the service was providing support to 20 people who lived in their own home.

There was a registered manager in post and they were present during our inspection. 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. The service has a registered manager in place and a team leader who has overall day to day responsibility for the service.

People continued to receive a safe service where they were protected from avoidable harm, discrimination and abuse. There were systems in place to recognise, report and ensure people were protected from harm. Each person had a risk assessment which identified possible risks and provided guidance for staff on how to minimise them. Staff had attended safeguarding training and knew how to report any incidents of abuse.

Incidents and accidents were recorded, monitored and lessons were learnt to ensure people were safe. People and their relatives were involved in the review of care plans. We noted staff had a good understanding of people's needs in the way they provide person centred care. People's equality and diversity was at the heart of the service ensuring people's race, age, sex, sexuality, faith, etc. were recognised and respected.

There were sufficient number of staff to meet people's needs. The service's staff recruitment processes were robust ensuring that staff were appropriately checked before they started work. The registered manager provided staff with training, support and supervision that enabled them to deliver effective care.

People's communication needs were included in their care plans. The registered manager also used easy read and pictures as ways of communication to help people access information.

Staff promoted people's independence and made sure that their choices and privacy were respected at all times. They worked well with external health care professionals, and people were supported with their needs and accessed health services when required. People were supported to have maximum control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) were followed.

The registered manager welcomed complaints and feedback from people and relatives. This was reviewed and used to solve any concerns and improve the service.

People at the service were supported to choose, prepare and enjoy meals that reflected their dietary and religious preferences.

There were established quality assurance and auditing systems in place to ensure the service was well run and people's needs were met.