69 Chartridge Lane

Updated 23 August 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

69 Chartridge Lane is a ‘care home’ without nursing care. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started on 31st July 2023 and ended on 9 August 2023. We visited the service on 31st July. We continued to gather further information remotely from the provider and other feedback until 9 August 2023.

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. We used all this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, nominated individual (the nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider) and 4 members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care plans and risk assessments, 3 peoples medicine administration records (MAR charts), 3 recruitment records and quality audits, staffing rotas, accident and incident records and safeguarding records.

We observed people’s care and support and interaction with staff during the duration of the inspection to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We also checked the provider had key policies and procedures in place to help guide staff. We spoke with 1 person who used the service and 4 family members about their experience of the care provided. We also sought feedback from health and social care professionals.

Updated 23 August 2023

About the service

69 Chartridge Lane is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people. The service provides support to people with a learning disability, autistic people and people with a mental health condition. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people using the service.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

People's experience of using this service and what we found

We found the service had made many improvements since the last inspection. The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

Right support

People received personalised care and support built around their needs and wishes. People had a consistent staff team who knew them well.

Staff were trained to deliver care and support in line with people’s assessed needs. People were relaxed and comfortable with the staff who supported them. Staff now supported people with their medicines in a safe way.

Staff assisted people to take part in activities and hobbies they had stated they enjoyed both inside and outside of the home. People's achievements were recorded and celebrated.

People’s communication needs were being met and staff understood each person's communication style.

The service ensured that there were a suitable amount of trained and skilled staff working at the service to meet people's individual needs. The provider carried out employment checks to ensure that staff were recruited safely and had the right skill mix to support people who lived at the home.

People had their rooms personalised to their individual preference. The living environment had been updated and kitchen refurbished.

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.

Right care

People received kind and compassionate care. Staff were understanding and responded well to people's needs. We observed, and relatives told us, people were treated with kindness and their privacy was respected by staff.

People's care and support was recorded in their support plans, which reflected their support needs and promoted their wellbeing and quality of life.

Staff were able to demonstrate how they protect people from potential risks, poor care and abuse. The provider ensured that measures were in place to help prevent the spread of infections.

Right culture

There had been significant changes in the home's management team since the last inspection. We found the new management had made many improvements in making the necessary changes to improve the service to good. This included, creating a positive culture where people, relatives and care staff felt supported and safe. There was ongoing training and supervision for staff to make sure practice always followed best practice guidelines. Relatives told us they had renewed confidence in the management of the home and felt appropriately involved and updated regularly.

The provider and registered manager consistently assessed, monitored and improved the quality of the service where possible. People and those important to them were involved in planning their care.

The service carried out a range of audits to ensure a good quality service was provided. This enabled people to receive a good service, which empowered people and the care was tailored to their individual support needs.

The service was clear on their responsibility to work with other agencies to ensure people were safe.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 28 September 2022). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 10 June 2022. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.