9 Allenby Road

Updated 21 August 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 10 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 21 August 2020

About the service

9 Allenby Road is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up 4 people with learning disabilities. It provides respite care (short breaks) in one adapted building. Two people were using the service at the time of our visit.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that 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. There was minimal signage to show the service is a respite care centre. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

Relatives were very complimentary of the service. One described it as “My lifeline,” others said “I couldn’t do without Allenby” and “I can’t praise them enough.” A person who used the service said “I enjoy coming here. I like staff. I enjoy the food.”

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that 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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

The service was managed well. There was a registered manager in place. Staff understood their responsibilities and worked together as a team. There were systems to monitor the quality of people’s care to make sure it was effective and safe.

There were enough staff to provide the support people needed. Staff were trained and supervised to make sure they met people’s needs effectively. They had been recruited using robust procedures.

People were supported with their healthcare needs. Their medicines were managed well. People were treated with dignity and respect. Written risk assessments were in place to identify and help reduce the likelihood of people experiencing injury or harm.

The premises had been well-maintained and provided a safe and comfortable environment for people. The garden had been re-landscaped to provide an attractive and accessible outdoor area.

Records, in particular residents’ meetings minutes, did not show how everyone present was involved in discussions or contributed to decisions. We have made a recommendation about recording the views of people who have communication difficulties.

Care plans were written to document people’s needs. It was not always clear if people had been asked about their choices and preferences for how they wished to be cared for. We have made a recommendation about clearly recording people’s choices and preferences.

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 (report published 12/9/17).

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.