Squirrels

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

We were assured that infection control measures in place reduced the risks to people from COVID-19. This included systems around enhanced cleaning and use of personal protective equipment. Staff worked with people to promote social distancing and COVID-19 testing where possible, taking into account people’s level of understanding and the impact changes had on their anxiety and wellbeing.

There was a positive culture at the service. Relatives told us they were happy with the care provided to their family members. They told us the management of the service were approachable and kept them informed about their family member’s health and wellbeing.

Staff we spoke to were motivated and enthusiastic in their role. They were positive about the support they received from the registered manager.

There were systems in place to protect people from the risk of suffering abuse or avoidable harm.

The provider had supported people to minimise the use of some medicines, where possible. The levels of medicines administered were closely monitored by the provider in partnership with relatives and health professionals. This helped to ensure medicines were administered appropriately.

Incidents were investigated appropriately and reported to relevant professional bodies where needed. This helped to ensure people were receiving care that promoted a positive atmosphere which reduced the risk of incidents reoccurring.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, 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 providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Staff had worked to minimise the impact the pandemic had on people’s health and wellbeing. They had worked with people to adjust their routines and activities, considering COVID-19 restrictions, taking into account their level of understanding and sensitivity to change.

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 (12 February 2018).

Why we inspected

We undertook this targeted inspection to follow up on specific risks we had identified related to the service. We decided to inspect and examine those risks. The risks included: systems and processes to safeguard people from abuse, use of ‘when required’ medicines, management culture at service and processes to respond and learn from incidents.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

There was a registered manager at the home. 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.

People’s relatives and staff told us the management team at the service was effective and approachable. The registered manager had worked in partnership with people, relatives, healthcare professionals and others to provide resources and develop structures to promote people’s health and wellbeing. The provider had systems in place to support the registered manager in their role and monitor the quality of the care people received.

There were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs. People were supported by staff who were committed to providing personalised and flexible care. Staff understood the importance of people’s routines and preferences and were knowledgeable about guidance to help keep people safe. The service had policies in place to promote people’s equality and diversity.

Care plans were developed with people’s families and other health professionals and were regularly reviewed as people’s needs changed. The provider had made adaptations to the service to help ensure it was suitable to meet people’s needs.

Staff understood the need to gain consent from people before providing care and used a range of strategies to promote people’s choice, independence and communication. People were encouraged to participate in a range of activities, which were carefully planned in order to maximise people’s enjoyment and engagement.

Staff received training and ongoing support in their role which gave them the skills to provide effective support to people. Staff had received training in safeguarding and understood the steps required in order to keep people safe from harm. The provider also had systems in place where people, staff and relatives could report concerns. People’s relatives told us that the registered manager acted upon feedback to make positive changes where required.

The provider and registered manager completed a series of audits and checks to monitor the quality and safety of the service. These were effective in identifying areas which needed developing or changing. The registered manager used reflective practice when incidents occurred to help staff implement learning to improve their skills and knowledge. There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of infections.

People were supported to access healthcare services and follow a diet in line with their preferences. There were systems in place manage people’s medicines and the staff were working with people, families and health professionals to ensure they were prescribed the appropriate level of medicines.