Archived: Queensdown Road

Updated 2 April 2016

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.

The inspection took place on 15 and 21 December 2015. The first day of the inspection was unannounced; the provider knew that we would be returning for the subsequent day.

The inspection was conducted by a single inspector. Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and statutory notifications received. During the inspection we used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people supported by the service. We spoke with two people who used the service and made general observations.

We spoke with the registered manager, the senior support worker and an assistant support worker.

We looked at three people’s care records, and three staff files, as well as records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 2 April 2016

The inspection took place on 15 and 21 December 2015. The first day of the inspection was unannounced; the provider knew that we would be returning for the subsequent day. Queensdown Road is a residential home which provides care and support to a maximum of eight people with mental health needs. At the time of the inspection there were eight people living at the service. At our previous inspection of the service in August 2013 we found that the service was meeting the regulations we looked at.

A registered manager was in post. 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 were kept safe from the risk of abuse by well supported staff who felt confident to raise concerns about poor practice. The available risk assessments were detailed and clearly explained how staff could manage potential risks. However, one person did not have a risk assessment relating to smoking as required.

The provider had used a robust recruitment procedure to employ enough suitable staff to meet people’s care needs. The staff developed caring relationships with people using the service.

People were supported to eat and drink enough, obtain treatment from health care professionals and their medicines were well managed.

The provider followed the latest guidance and legal developments about obtaining consent to care. Staff were aware of how to support people to express their views about their care. There was evidence that people were involved in planning their care and were supported to develop their independence through setting individual goals. People were well supported to raise any concerns they held.

There was an open and positive culture at the service and the team expressed they worked well together and could input into the running of the service. There were a range of audits conducted to monitor and improve the service.