Shamu

Updated 21 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 29 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 21 April 2021

About the service

Shamu is a residential care home providing personal care to two people with a learning disability at the time of the inspection. The service accommodates up to six people in one adapted building and there were four additional people residing at the service who were not in receipt of personal care.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We have made a recommendation about End of Life care planning.

People were supported by safely recruited staff, who had the skills and knowledge to provide effective support. Staffing levels were regularly reviewed to ensure there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. People’s medicines were managed, and staff followed infection control procedures.

Effective care planning and risk management was in place which guided staff to provide support that met people’s needs and in line with their preferences. People were supported to access healthcare professionals and advice received was followed by staff. There were systems in place to ensure people received consistent care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by caring staff who promoted choices in a way that people understood, this meant people had control and choice over their lives. Staff provided dignified care and respected people’s privacy. People’s independence was promoted by staff.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People were involved in the planning and review of their care. Staff knew people well and followed care plans to ensure they provided support in line with people’s wishes and diverse needs. People were supported to access interests that were important to them. People’s communication needs were met, and information was provided in a way that promoted people’s understanding. People understood how to complain, and actions had been taken to make improvements as a result of complaints received.

Systems were in place to monitor the service, which ensured people’s risks were mitigated and lessons were learnt when things went wrong. People and staff could approach the registered manager who listened to feedback to make improvements to the delivery of care. Staff and management were committed to providing a good standard of care, which was focused on positive outcomes for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 11 April 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.