16 February 2018
During a routine inspection
Bunbury Road is a respite service offering accommodation and support for a maximum of five female service users with mental health support needs. At the time of our inspection, three people were using the service. There was a registered manager in place who was present during our inspection. 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.
This inspection was prompted in part by information of concern shared with us by the local authority. This was in relation to the provider’s poor and delayed response to an allegation of sexual abuse. We ensured this information was shared with relevant partner agencies such as the police and as a result this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, this information and our inspection findings identified concerns around how incidents and safeguarding matters were responded to. Although two people we met told us they felt safe and safeguarding training was being refreshed, systems did not protect people using the service from abuse because incidents had not been fully investigated. Actions had not been taken as a result such as referrals to relevant partner agencies as required.
We identified breaches of the regulations because risks and incidents were not appropriately recorded or responded to in order to protect people and ensure the safety of the service. Quality assurance processes did not always effectively monitor and improve the safety of the service. Planned improvements had not always been made or processes followed as planned. Some findings reflected a positive and person-centred culture including the approach of staff and the service project lead’s ongoing improvement plans.
Although one person told us they were happy with their medicines support, some issues identified at our last inspection had still not been fully addressed to ensure people received their medicines safely. People told us they had felt more settled over their time at the service due to improved health. People’s needs were monitored and referred to community health teams by staff as needed. Systems were in place to support safe recruitment practice.
Incidents and risks were not routinely discussed with staff, records relating to people’s support were not always accurate and staff meetings were not held as often as planned. This did not help promote learning or develop staff skills and knowledge for their roles. Staff had not received all mandatory training and this was still underway since the last inspection. People were satisfied with the support of staff and described their improved health and wellbeing. People were supported to make choices with their meals and with accessing other healthcare services as needed.
People told us staff were kind and caring. Their feedback showed they valued the approach of staff. People had the privacy they needed and their independence was promoted. Systems were in place to involve people in their support plans and monitor their wellbeing. One person told us they felt able to complain and this was encouraged during residents’ meetings.
You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of this report.