Brightcare

Updated 11 November 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 12 and 14 September 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

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. Prior to the inspection we reviewed this and other information we held about the service, we looked at the previous inspection report and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the inspection we reviewed people’s records and a variety of documents. These included three people’s care plans and risk assessments, people’s daily reports made by staff, three staff recruitment files, the staffing rota, staff training and supervision, medicine, servicing and maintenance checks and quality assurance records.

We spoke with three people who were using the service, the registered manager and three members of staff. We observed staff working and their interactions with people.

Following the inspection, we contacted two relatives for their views on the service provided. We received feedback from one social care professional who had had contact with the service, which was positive.

Updated 11 November 2017

This was an unannounced inspection carried out on 12 and 14 September 2017. The previous inspection in July 2016 found breaches in the areas of medicines, care planning, notifying the Commission of events, premises and equipment, complaint procedures, systems to assess, monitor and improve the service. At this inspection, the provider had addressed these shortfalls.

Brightcare provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. At the time of the inspection, there were five people living at Brightcare and the sixth bedroom was being used as a dining room. The service is a chalet bungalow with all accommodation for people provided on the ground floor. It is set in a residential area of St Marys Bay village. Each person has a single room and there is a communal bathroom, shower room, kitchen, dining room and lounge. There is a rear enclosed garden at the back of the bungalow with level access. There is parking available at the service as well as on street parking.

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.

People received their medicines safely and when they should. Risks were assessed and staff took steps to keep people safe whilst encouraging their independence wherever possible.

People were involved in the planning of their care and support where possible. Care plans contained information about people’s wishes and preferences. They showed people’s skills in relation to tasks and what support they required from staff, in order that their independence was maintained. People had reviews of their care and support where they and/or their representatives were able to discuss any concerns or aspirations.

People were encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and choices and staff respected these. Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. The MCA provides the legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions, at a certain time. When people are assessed as not having the capacity to make a decision, a best interest decision is made involving people who know the person well and other professionals, where relevant. The registered manager understood this process.

People were protected by safe recruitment procedures. New staff underwent an induction programme, which included shadowing experienced staff, until staff were competent to work on their own. Staff received training relevant to their role. Staff had opportunities for one to one meetings and team meetings, to enable them to carry out their duties effectively. The majority of staff had gained qualifications in health and social care. People had their needs met by sufficient numbers of staff and staff rotas were based on people’s needs.

People were relaxed in staff’s company and staff listened and acted on what they said or gestures and body language. People were treated with dignity and respect and their privacy was respected. Staff were kind and patient in their approach, but also used good humour. Staff had built up relationships with people and were familiar with their life stories and preferences.

People had a varied diet and could be involved in planning the menus. Staff supported people’s special dietary needs. People had a programme of leisure activities and went out and about as they wished.

People were supported to maintain good health and attend appointments and check-ups. Appropriate referrals were made to health professionals when required. People did not have any concerns, but felt comfortable in raising issues. Their feedback was gained both informally and formally. The registered manager had an open door policy and took action to address any concerns or issues straightaway to help ensure the service ran smoothly. There were audits and checkes to ensure the service ran effectively.

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