Rowland House

Updated 20 May 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Rowland House 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.

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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection-

We spoke with one relative about their experience of the care provided. Due to people’s complex needs we were not able to verbally communicate with people. We spoke with four members of staff including registered manager and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care record and multiple medicines administration records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection –

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 20 May 2021

About the service

Rowland House is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to one person with learning disabilities at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to six people.

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

Relatives told us that staff ensured that their relative was safe at Rowland House. Staff understood what it meant to protect people from abuse. They told us they were confident any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by the registered manager. Safe procedures were in place to make sure people received their medicines as prescribed. There were enough staff available to ensure people's care and support needs were met. The provider had effective recruitment procedures in place to make sure staff had the required skills and were of suitable character and background.

Staff were provided with an effective induction and relevant training to make sure they had the right skills and knowledge for their role. Staff were supported in their jobs. Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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. People were supported to access relevant health and social care professionals to ensure they were getting the care and support they needed to best meet their needs.

Positive and supportive relationships had been developed between people and staff. People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff were committed to promoting people's independence.

People's care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured it met their needs and reflected their preferences. The care records we looked at included risk assessments and risk management plans. They had been devised to help minimise and monitor the risks, while promoting the person's independence as far as possible. We saw people's care records were regularly reviewed with the person.

There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. Staff told us the registered manager and senior support worker were supportive and approachable. Relatives and staff were asked for their opinion of the quality of the service via regular meetings. The service had up to date policies and procedures which reflected current legislation and good practice guidance.

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 statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Rowland House put people who used the service in the centre of the care provided, they engage people to maximise their potential and senior staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs and challenges people with learning disabilities face within our society.

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) This service was registered with us on 27/01/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating and inspection priority guidance.

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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.