Ben Russell Carers Ltd

Updated 29 February 2020

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

Ben Russell Carers Limited is a domiciliary care agency and provides care and support to one person in their own home. The service was set up specifically to meet this person's needs

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. They had worked with the person for 20 years.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave the service notice of the inspection. This was because the provider operates from the person’s home and we needed to arrange our visit at a time that suited the person.

What we did before the inspection

We looked at all the information we had received from and about the home since the last inspection. We also used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We visited the person at their home and were able to ask them about the support they received. This was with the help of a care worker who was able to use the person’s preferred communication method. We also spoke with a close relative to discuss the support the person received from the service.

We spoke with the registered manager, the provider’s nominated individual (who is a registered nurse and oversees the person’s daily clinical needs) and two support workers.

We spoke with the registered manager and nominated individual about the systems they used and looked at the person’s medicine administration record on the computerised system and provider policies.

After the inspection

We sought feedback from health and social care professionals who supported the person and received feedback from three. We also contacted the person’s court appointed deputy to ask their views about the service provided.

Updated 29 February 2020

About the service:

Ben Russell Carers Ltd provides care and support to one person in their own home. The service was set up specifically to meet this person's needs. There are Trustees in place who, as part of their role, ensure the purpose of the service does not change. Please note this service is a single occupancy service so registered to 151 Buckingham Palace Road. The provider operates from the person’s home

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

The person received effective care and consistent support from a small staff team with the skills to meet their complex needs. Staff continually monitored the person’s health and wellbeing and worked with other professionals to make sure the person received the treatment they required. They were committed to providing a service which put the person at the heart of everything they did and clearly demonstrated that they had built a very positive relationship with the person and saw them as their equal.

The staff team were exceptionally compassionate and knew the person extremely well and had built very strong and trusting relationships. They Staff were always willing to go 'above and beyond' if needed. Staff ensured the person was involved in all decision making and enabled the person to be as independent as possible.

The person used an alphabet board to communicate which enabled them to express their views. Care was organised around their wishes and preferences. Support plans were very detailed on the computerised system and gave staff detailed information about the person’s complex needs, likes and dislikes.

The person was supported by staff to have maximum choice and control of their life 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.

The person was protected from abuse by staff who were aware of the different types of abuse and were confident if they raised a concern action would be taken. Medicines were safely managed. There were two staff allocated on duty throughout the day and night which was sufficient to meet the person’s needs. The registered manager and staff delivered care to the highest standards, often undertaking additional tasks to ensure the person was protected and had a good quality of life.

The registered manager had been working with the person for 20 years. They knew the person they supported very well and was a very strong advocate for them to ensure their human rights were upheld.

The registered manager and provider’s nominated individual had systems in place to monitor quality and identify where improvements needed to be made. Staff said the registered manager and the provider’s nominated individual were very open and approachable which enabled them to discuss issues or seek advice.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 18 July 2017). At this inspection the overall ratings of the service has remained the same. However, the rating for the caring domain has improved and is now outstanding.

Why we inspected

This was a scheduled/planned inspection based on date of registration

Follow up

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.