Wide Cove

Updated 6 February 2019

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, 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 9 and 11 January 2019 and was unannounced. There was one adult social care inspector.

We gathered and reviewed as much information as possible prior to the inspection for example from notifications of events within the service and from information sent us from other agencies. The last Provider Information Return (PIR) was submitted on 2 October 2015 and another PIR was recently requested. This is a document we requested to be completed to provide us with important information about the service. A more up to date PIR was due to be sent to CQC.

As part of this inspection we spoke with three people using the service, two relatives/visitors, five staff including the registered manager and the provider. We reviewed two care plans, one of which we undertook a case track which involves reviewing all the person’s care records. We observed medicines being administered and observed a lunch time dining experience. We also spoke with one healthcare professional as part of the inspection.

Updated 6 February 2019

Wide Cove is a home registered for a maximum of 8 people who have a learning disability or autism spectrum disorder. There were 8 people living there at the time of this inspection. The home comprised of an open plan kitchen and dining room, a lounge, laundry room and gardens to the rear. It was situated close to the town of Runcorn at the heart of the community.

At our last inspection on 20 June 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good overall. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The registered manager demonstrated good leadership and was present for this inspection. They were actively involved in monitoring people’s health and wellbeing.

Staff training had been undertaken and training which needed to be updated was completed during this inspection. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s care needs and knew people’s preferences, likes and dislikes.

Prescribed medicines were administered according to people’s prescriptions appropriately by staff we observed.

People were seen by healthcare professionals and were supported to hospital appointments and to take care of their health as much as possible.

The care was person centred where people were supported with things that were important to them in a timely way. The culture was to be inclusive of people with a range of different needs.

Staff we observed were caring, kind and compassionate in their interactions with people. There was a relaxed and calm atmosphere within the home where people were observed walking around the home freely.

Staff were following the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the registered manager had arranged best interest’s meetings when appropriate.

People were being supported to be as independent as possible to maintain their skills and live as fulfilling a life as possible.

There were enough staff to meet people’s care needs. People were seen being supported when they needed reassurance.

Activities were provided and people were supported to go out into their local community.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.