Ardsley House

Updated 4 December 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 30 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 4 December 2020

About the service

Ardsley house is a care home providing care and support for people with learning disabilities.

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 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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to thirteen people and thirteen people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were no identifying signs, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home.

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

People told us they were happy living at the home and felt safe. Relatives also told us their loved ones received safe care.

Overall, medication was managed safely. However, improvements were required in the recording of ‘as and when required’ medication and medication to thicken people’s drinks to manage risks of choking. The provider was completing regular medication audits, but these had not identified the recording issues found at this inspection. Staff’s competency to administer medication was regularly assessed and people were supported to self-administer their medication, when safe to do so.

Risks to people's care were managed safely. However, some risk assessments required further detail. We did not find the recording issues found with medication or risk assessments had any detrimental impact on the care people were receiving; the registered manager took immediate action to review these.

People were supported by staff who were trained and received regular supervision. Most staff had been working in the service for several years and knew people’s needs and preferences very well.

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. The provider was completing decision specific mental capacity assessments and related best interest decisions for relevant aspects of people’s care.

The provider completed person centred assessments and most care plans were updated when required. People were supported to access relevant healthcare services when they needed them, and they were supported to eat and drink well and according with their specific dietary requirements.

People's independence was promoted and encouraged. People received care that met their needs. People had opportunities to take part in activities in the house and outings of their choice.

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 remained supported by staff who were caring and respectful. People and, where appropriate, relatives and advocates were involved in making decisions about the care people received.

People, relatives and staff shared positive feedback about the management of the service and the registered manager. We saw people were consulted regularly to comment on the care they received and about plans for the future development of the service.

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 14 July 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.