Background to this inspection
Updated
7 February 2020
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
Choice Support - 181 Carlingford Road 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, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave 48 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. We also needed to be sure the registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
People living at the service were unable to fully communicate their views, so we spent time observing interactions between people and staff. We spoke with one relative. We also spoke with the registered manager and a support worker.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and two medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, staff supervision and appraisal records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. The provider sent us various documents we requested during the inspection. We spoke with a relative and a support worker.
Updated
7 February 2020
About the service
Choice Support - 181 Carlingford Road is a residential care home providing personal care and support for people living with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, younger adults, and physical disabilities. The care home is registered for four people. At the time of the inspection they were providing personal care and support to two 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 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 supported by kind and caring staff who treated people as individuals and with dignity and respect. The provider had recruitment systems to ensure staff were safely recruited. Staff spoke knowledgeably about the systems in place to safeguard people from abuse. People were supported by staff who were inducted, trained and supervised.
Relatives told us they felt the service was safe. Risks to people were identified and managed. Where required people were safely supported with their medicines. The support required by people with health and nutritional needs was identified and provided. Infection control measures were in place to prevent cross infection.
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’s privacy and independence were promoted. Systems were in place to deal with concerns and complaints. This enabled people to raise concerns about their care if they needed to.
People had person centred support plans in place. People were actively involved in their care and contributed to the development of care plans and reviews. People’s communication needs were identified, and their end of life care wishes were explored and recorded. People were supported with activities.
Staff told us they felt supported by the registered manager. The provider had effective quality assurance systems to monitor the quality and safety of the care provided.
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.
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 20 June 2017). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has altered its legal entity. This service was registered with us on 28/01/2019 and this is the first inspection.
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.