Archived: Chesapeake House

Updated 29 April 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Chesapeake House consists of two services types in two houses which have been adapted, to provide residential care. The main building 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. This service also provides care and support to people living in four 'supported living' apartments, so that they can live as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support. The apartments were located at the rear of the care home, accessed via the patio area.

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. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 spent time observing care and support in the communal areas. We observed how staff interacted with people who used the service. We spoke with eight people that were using the service and one person’s relative. We spent time with the registered manager during the inspection and spoke with three care staff. We looked at the care records for two people. We checked that the care they received matched the information in their records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff training. 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.

Updated 29 April 2022

About the service

Chesapeake House is a residential care home, registered to support 11 adults, in an adapted building over two floors. The property is two houses converted which was registered before the Registering the Right Principles were adopted. Chesapeake House is registered to provide accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, for adults with learning disabilities. Personal care was also provided for up to four people who were supported to live more independently in individual flats in supported living settings, which were located on the same site. At the time of our inspection, 10 people were receiving residential care which included one person living in one of the individual flats on the same site. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. Four people were in receipt of personal care at the time of the inspection.

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

Right Support

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.

People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them. Systems and processes were in place to help people receive safe care and protect them from harm. Trained staff administered medicines safely and checks were done to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

Recruitment checks were in place and followed to ensure the staff appointed were suitable. Enough staff were available to ensure people received safe care. Risks were assessed and actions to reduce identified risks were followed by staff. Infection prevention and control practices were followed to help prevent infection transmission, including those from COVID-19.

Right care

People’s health and care needs were assessed, and care plans and risk assessments were kept up to date. Staff received training and updates to help them support people effectively. New staff completed an induction programme, which included learning from more experienced staff.

Where staff supported people with their meals and drinks, their dietary preferences and choices were known and respected. Other health and social care professionals were involved in people’s care when needed.

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.

Right Culture

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The service had not fully been 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.

Staff were discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people. The building design fitted into the residential area where there were other large domestic homes of a similar size. Mitigating measures had been taken to ensure there was nothing outside the home, to indicate it was a care home.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 16 November 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Requires Improvement (published on 28 February 2020).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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, which will help inform when we next inspect.