We carried out a review of the data available to us about Queensbridge Respite on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Queensbridge Respite, you can give feedback on this service.
Queensbridge Respite is a care home providing a short break service for adults who have a learning disability or a physical disability. The service can provide care and support for up to six people at a time. At the time of the inspection 60 people were registered for short breaks at Queensbridge.
The service was registered and designed before the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance was introduced. 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received care and support from a staff team who were exceptionally well managed, highly skilled and committed to providing a high-quality service. There was a shared ethos of valuing each person as an individual with strengths, ambition and aspirations.
Staff were committed to supporting people to develop their independence, learn new skills and grow in confidence. Every achievement was acknowledged and celebrated be it cooking a meal for people or moving to a residential college.
The staff team were proactive in working with people, family members and other professionals to develop bespoke transition plans and care and support plans. People were equal partners in their care and support and introductions to Queensbridge Respite were led by the person and their individual needs. Any specific equipment or training staff needed to keep people safe and well cared for during their short break was provided before people visited the service.
There was a culture of inclusion and staff worked together to develop and review support strategies. All incidents were reflected on, so the team and organisation could learn and improve. Any changes to care and support plans were discussed with family members and people so their was full inclusion and agreement.
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.
Staff were kind, caring and compassionate towards people, respecting and promoting people’s dignity and independence. People were communicated with using their preferred method of communication and in this way were involved in making decisions about their care and support.
Staff worked in partnership with other agencies to provide consistent and effective care and support. Feedback from other professionals was incredibly positive with one care provider stating the support had been “invaluable.”
The service applied the principles and values the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 requires improvement (report published 20 February 2019) and there were two breaches of regulation. 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.
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.
People’s experience of using this service:
People’s medicines had not always been well managed. At times people had not received their medicines as prescribed.
Risks had not always been minimised. Risks had been assessed when people started using the service and steps taken to reduce those risks. But these steps had not always been followed. When things had changed risks had not always been reassessed.
Checks to monitor the service were not robust enough to highlight the shortfalls in care delivery that we found. Accident and incidents were not always reflected on to drive improvements.
People and relatives were happy with the service they received. Relatives told us staff were friendly, people’s needs were well met and that people enjoyed their time at the service. Relatives told us they felt they could relax when people were at Queensbridge Respite as they knew they were being well cared for.
There were enough staff. Safe recruitment processes had been followed. Staff were trained and their skills and knowledge checked through competency assessments.
People’s choices were respected, and proper legal processes had been followed when people were unable to make their own decisions.
People and their relatives were very involved in the service. Care was planned around people’s choices and preferred routines. People took part in lots of activities.
Staff were proud of the service. There had been recent changes in the management structure which relatives and staff were positive about. The provider responded quickly to both the safeguarding incidents which prompted our inspection and our feedback. They put together action plans for improvement and showed us evidence of the changes they had put in place.
We identified two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 around safe care and governance. Details of action we have asked the provider to take can be found at the end of this report.
Rating at last inspection: Good (last report published in November 2017)
Why we inspected: The inspection was prompted in part by incidents which had occurred in the service that the provider shared with CQC and the local authority. The information indicated potential concerns about the management of risk, staffing levels and moving and handling support. This inspection examined those risks.
Follow up: We have asked the provider to send us an action plan about the steps they plan to take to make sure they are meeting all legal regulations.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Relatives told us they were generally happy with the care provided at the service. They said there had recently been some minor issues with their family members care but these were being addressed. Relatives told said staff members were kind and caring.
Relatives told us there had recently been an unsettled period due to changes in staffing but the situation was improving. Staff confirmed there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.
Staff showed a good understanding of safeguarding and knew how to report concerns. They were also aware of the provider’s whistle blowing procedure. There had been no safeguarding concerns raised at the service.
The provider had effective recruitment procedures to ensure new staff were suitable to work at the service.
Medicines were managed safely. Staff had completed relevant training and their competency to administer medicines had been verified. Accurate records were kept to account for the medicines people had been given.
Staff completed regular health and safety checks and there were procedures in place to deal with emergency situations. These were up to date when we inspected.
Staff confirmed they received good support and completed relevant training.
People were supported with nutrition in line with their individual needs. Where people required specific support or equipment to help with eating and drinking, we saw this was provided.
People’s needs had been assessed and the information used to develop detailed and personalised care plans. These were reviewed regularly to help ensure they reflected people’s needs.
People were able to take part in activities they enjoyed. However, some relatives felt there should be more opportunities for their family member to access the local community.
Previous complaints about the service had been investigated. Relatives confirmed they knew how to raise concerns if they had any issues with the service. Some relatives had complimented the service.
Opportunities for relatives to meet and share their views about the service were limited.
The service had a new manager who was intending to register with CQC. Relatives told us they had met the new manager and found them approachable.
A range of quality assurance checks were completed to help ensure people received good support.