Archived: 22 Argyll Street

Updated 2 March 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 10 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 2 March 2022

22 Argyll Street is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 22 Argyll Street provides accommodation and support for up to nine adults, who have a learning disability or an autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection, there were nine people living at the home.

The inspection was conducted on 18 December 2018 and was unannounced.

The home is a converted house and is based on two floors. There was a choice of communal rooms where people were able to socialise and most bedrooms had en-suite facilities.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found evidence which demonstrated ongoing and continuous improvements in the responsiveness and leadership of the service and therefore the overall rating is now outstanding.

The service went the extra mile to provide a family orientated and homely environment for people. Staff had developed strong relationships with people and know them exceptionally well. People were involved in everything that happened in the home and were supported by the staff to maintain positive relationships with each other. Staff understood people’s needs and aspirations and had found creative ways to enhance people’s skills and independence and fulfil their interests and wishes.

Staff knew people exceptionally well and delivered care and support in a way that met those needs and promoted equality. The staff team clearly understood the needs of different people and worked in partnership with them, to achieve personal goals and develop skills.

Staff used appropriate techniques to communicate effectively with people so that they felt listened to and valued. People’s unique communication styles were understood and respected by staff.

Care and support was planned proactively and in partnership with the people, their families and multidisciplinary teams where appropriate.

The service was committed to ensuring that there was equality and inclusion across the workforce and for the people who used the service. People were fully included in everything in relation to the service and encouraged and supported to be actively involved in the development of the service. The service had established strong links with the community.

The home has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The provider and registered manager were fully committed to ensuring the service continually improved and was proactive in implementing change.

Staff were clear about their safeguarding responsibilities and knew how to recognise and report potential abuse. Staff carried out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff had an excellent understanding of managing risks and supported people to reach their full potential through consistent, personalised care.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs and staff were able to support people in a relaxed and unhurried way. Appropriate recruitment procedures were in place to help ensure only suitable staff were employed. People were supported by staff who were highly skilled, and knowledgeable in caring for people with additional needs. Staff were skilled in helping people to express their views and communicated with them in ways they could understand.

Risks to people were robustly explored and recorded. The registered manager and staff had assessed individual risks to people and acted to minimise the likelihood of harm. People were supported with their medicines by staff who had been trained and assessed as competent.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Appropriate arrangements were in place for obtaining, recording, administering and disposing of prescribed medicines.

Staff understood and followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were aware of people's rights to refuse care. The management team and staff worked to ensure that people’s choices and wishes were respected.

Technology was used proactively to both support people’s safety and communication needs.

Staff were passionate about providing a friendly and caring environment for the people using the service. Staff spoke positively about their job, the people they supported and the management of the service.