Archived: Purleigh Avenue

Updated 16 October 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 19 September 2018. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, such as what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included any concerns or notifications of incidents that the provider had sent us since the last inspection.

During our inspection we spent time observing care and support provided to people. We spoke with the registered manager, a senior support worker, the operations manager and one support worker. We spoke with four people who used the service.

We looked at five people’s care records and other records relating to the management of the service. This included five staff supervision and training files, accident and incident records, health and safety, quality monitoring and medicines records. After our inspection we spoke with one relative by telephone.

Updated 16 October 2018

We carried out an unannounced inspection of Purleigh Avenue on 20 September 2018. At our last inspection on 5 April 2017, the service was rated ‘Good’. However, we found the home was not always ‘Safe’ as there was a breach of Health and Social care regulations relating to the proper and safe management of medicines at the home and ensuring all risks to people were identified and assessed.

After the inspection, the registered provider wrote to us to say what actions they would be taking to meet legal requirements in relation to the breach. At this inspection, we found the actions had been completed and the home was now compliant with all regulations and remained ‘Good’.

Purleigh Avenue 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.

It is a care home for up to six people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The care service 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 in the home can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. Six people were living in the home at the time of our inspection.

There were enough staff on duty to support people. Recruitment processes were safe, which ensured that staff were suitable to work with people who needed support. Systems were in place to ensure medicines were administered safely and when needed.

Equipment in the service was safe to use and there were procedures to control infections. They were maintained and serviced regularly. People lived in an environment that was clean, safe and suitable for their needs. Accidents and incidents in the home were recorded and analysed to ensure they were minimised in future.

Staff knew how to keep people safe. Risks to them were identified and there was guidance in place for staff to minimise these risks. People were supported by staff who had received training to ensure they had the skills to support them.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Staff worked with health and social care professionals, such as speech and language therapists and GPs, to ensure that people remained healthy and well.

People were supported to have choice and remain as independent as possible. The service was compliant with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People and relatives were involved in decisions about their care. They were able to provide feedback and make suggestions about what they wanted from the home.

Staff were responsive to people’s needs. They were supported by staff who knew them well. The staff were caring and treated people with respect. People's privacy and dignity were maintained.

People and relatives were involved in the development and review of their care plans, which were personalised according to each person's needs.

Staff supported people patiently and were attentive to their needs. People were able to engage in activities and social events that they enjoyed. They were able to provide feedback about the home. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and told us the home was well-led. Quality assurance systems were in place. The registered manager ensured the service was monitored regularly.