Ashford House

Updated 2 August 2018

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.

This inspection took place on 27 March 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an expert by experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The expert by experience had experience of learning disability services.

Before the inspection, 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 any improvements they plan to make. We reviewed this and information we held about the service, including previous inspection reports and notifications of significant events the provider sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell the Care Quality Commission about by law. We used this information to decide which areas to focus on during our inspection.

During the inspection, we spoke with five people who used the service, four relatives, the deputy manager, and three support staff who were on duty. We also carried out general observations of the care and support provided to people.

We looked at three people's care records which included risk assessments and other associated records. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the home including the provider’s quality assurance records, records related to the administration of medicines, staffing records including recruitment for two members of staff, staffing rotas and training records and records relating to the environment.

Updated 2 August 2018

Ashford House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, both were looked at during this inspection. Ashford House provides care and accommodation for up to 10 people living with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection, there were nine people living at the home.

At our last inspection, we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People said they felt safe the service, staff and the registered manager were aware of their responsibilities for ensuring that people were kept safe and that any concerns were reported. Checks such as identity and criminal records checks continued to be carried out on new staff as part of the recruitment process. Staffing levels were suitable to meet the needs of people who used the service and were adapted when needed depending on activities and if people’s needs changed. Medicines continued to be managed safely and staff were assessed to ensure they were competent to support people to take their medicines. People said they were supported to take their medicines how they were able to.

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

People continued to have their needs assessed and care was planned using best practice guidance. People said they were involved in reviewing their care and relatives and healthcare professionals were invited to attend reviews. People were observed making choices throughout the inspection and were supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staff received training and support which allowed them to provide care to people in a safe way and allowed them to develop within their roles.

Staff were observed being kind to people and respecting their privacy, dignity and independence. People were asked for their views about the service. Staff were aware of how people communicated and were sensitive people’s individual needs regarding understanding information and were patient with people who needed more time to communicate. People told us they liked the staff and got on well with them.

People’s preferences and choices were reflected in their care plans. The service took account of people’s individuality and supported them to maintain their individual interests and spiritual beliefs. Staff were supported to learn more about people’s beliefs and how they practiced them individually. People knew how to raise concerns and were provided with information in a way they understood.

There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. People told us they liked the registered manager and staff and were comfortable at the service. Staff felt they were able to approach the manager and felt listened to and supported to share their opinions. Governance structures had been put in place by the provider so that information could be shared and lessons learned in the service. People and their relatives were asked for their views and action plans were put in place to address any shortfalls in the quality of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.