Background to this inspection
Updated
4 March 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 1 February 2022 and was unannounced.
Updated
4 March 2022
Alderwood LLA Irchester is a ‘care home’ for six people with autism. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Alderwood LLA Irchester accommodates people in one adapted residential house that is located on a residential street. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
This inspection took place on 3 January 2018 and was unannounced.
At the time of our inspection the provider confirmed they were providing care to six people.
At the last inspection in October 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found that the service was now outstanding.
People were supported to work towards and complete major achievements in their lives. The service had continued to strengthen their positive links with resource centres for people with a learning disability, local leisure facilities, health and wellbeing providers, and employers who offered work placements. The service was flexible and adapted to people's changing needs and desires, enabling positive outcomes for all concerned. People felt a part of their community, and were able to take pride in their achievements.
Professionals involved in people’s care confirmed that the service was focused on individuals needs and the service had been able to meet people’s high level of needs where other services had failed. Staff had gone the extra mile to ensure that a people received the medical treatment that they needed and they had taken innovative steps in complying with the accessible information standard.
The provider was involved with the development of a national initiative to try and prevent the over medication of people with learning disabilities, autism or both and this ethos was firmly embedded within the service. The provider continued to be awarded by external bodies for educating the wider community about positive approaches to autism, and for the on-going investment into the strong development within their staff team.
The service had a consistently high level of engagement with relatives of people that used the service. Feedback from relatives was extremely positive and commented on the unique nature of the service, and how their own lives had been improved as well as their relative using the service.
Staff were well supported by the registered manager and senior management team. The registered manager had a clear vision for the service and its development. Staff were passionate and dedicated to their roles and had belief in the ethos of the support they received, and that of the provider in general. Staff at all levels had a strong belief that they were providing the best possible care for people, and were confident and empowered in their roles because of the strong leadership and management across the company. Staff were innovative in their approach to support, and were enthusiastic about supporting people to overcome life’s hurdles.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
Staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report abuse. Safeguarding procedures were followed accurately and alerts made when required. Detailed risk assessments and behaviour management plans were in place to manage all risks within a person’s life. Staff were all confident in supporting people with complex needs and behaviours which may challenge the service.
The staff recruitment procedures ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. Correct staffing levels were in place.
Staff induction training and mentoring was extensive and on-going training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and support they needed to perform their roles. Staff felt that training made them confident within their roles.
People's consent was gained before any care was provided. Families were involved in people’s care when appropriate. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes.
People and their family were involved in their own care planning and were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported. Care was completely centred and tailored to each individual. Systems were in place to identify what each person wanted to achieve, and how best to support them to do this.
The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service as and when it developed and had a process in place which ensured people could raise any complaints or concerns