White Horse Care Trust - 12A Masefield Avenue

Updated 17 November 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.

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.

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.

This inspection took place on 3 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 17 November 2020

About the service

White Horse Care Trust - 12A Masefield Avenue is a residential care home providing nursing and personal care to five people at the time of the inspection. The service was for younger adults with physical disability, learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder.

The service had 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.

The service was a fully adapted bungalow, the same size and appearance as other domestic properties in the residential area. It was registered for the support of up to six people. This is in keeping with current best practice guidance. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, 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 were safe and staff treated them with respect and dignity. People were happy and relaxed when interacting with staff and had formed positive relationships with them. Risks to people were managed through regular reviews and detailed support plans which included guidance from health professionals. This included regular use of best practice assessment tools to ensure people’s needs were identified accurately.

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. When restrictions were needed to maintain people’s safety, for example, when going out into the community, the least restrictive approach was taken. Arrangements made on people’s behalf were made in line with Mental Capacity Act requirements, when people could not consent to decisions about their care.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. People’s wishes and support needs were reviewed regularly with them (and their representatives) to ensure the support provided continued to meet their needs. The service was committed to ensuring people’s disabilities did not prevent them from living a fulfilled and happy life. Ongoing recruitment of regular staff and innovative approaches to staffing meant people were increasingly supported to participate in activities they enjoyed and were interested in.

People were empowered to contribute and be independent as far as possible, for example through use of technology to assist them to communicate. People enjoyed regular trips out and had maintained lifelong friendships with others they lived with. People were supported to maintain relationships with others who were important to them through social events.

The service was caring and person-centred. People using the service and the staff supporting them, were valued and listened to. The provider and registered manager understood their responsibilities and monitored the service to ensure any improvements needed were carried out. They worked openly and transparently with outside agencies.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.co.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was ‘Good’ (published 24 May 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.