10 March 2020
During a routine inspection
Brookvale Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to three younger people with a diagnosis of a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. The property is a large family type home that has been extended and adapted to provide additional bedrooms and living space. At the time of the inspection three people used the service.
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
People were safeguarded from harm because the staff team had received safeguarding adults training. They knew what to do if they had any concerns regarding people or they suspected people were being harmed. Risks to people’s health and welfare were assessed and plans were in place to mitigate the risks. Staff on duty each shift were sufficient to ensure each person’s care and support needs were met. This was kept under review and adjusted as and when necessary.
Safe recruitment procedures ensured people were looked after by suitable staff. People were supported with their medicines.. Medicines were well managed and administered by staff who were trained and competent. The provider had effective infection control procedures in place.
People’s care and support needs were assessed, and a personalised support plan written, taking in to account their preferences. People were involved in creating their support plans. Staff received relevant training to enable them to meet each person’s individual care and support needs and do their job well. New recruits who joined the staff team completed an induction training programme at the start of their employment. All other staff had a mandatory refresher training programme to complete. Staff were well supported to do their job. Regular supervision sessions with a senior member of staff, to guide them with their work were being re-introduced by the new manager.
The staff team assisted people to access the healthcare services they needed but encouraged independence where possible. People were encouraged to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet but respected people’s rights to make their own food choices. People received sufficient food and drink. Any preferences people had regarding food and drink were accommodated. People were supported to develop daily living skills and make their own meals and drinks.
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 staff team was small and well-established, and this meant people were supported by familiar staff. The staff were kind and caring and wanted the best for people. The interactions between people and the staff were friendly and evidenced good working relationships. People were content in their home environment.
Each person was looked after in a person-centred way. The staff knew what was important to each person. They knew when people were dissatisfied because they understood how the person acted when they were not happy. The staff understood what specific facial expressions, body language or types of behaviour meant. This information was recorded in their support plans. People were encouraged to enjoy social activities and were supported to explore new opportunities. People were supported to maintain contact with their family and friends.
A new manager had just started work at the service and was already familiar with the three people who lived at the home. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service, to share information and to ensure the staff team kept up to date with best practice.
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 November 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based upon 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.