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Inspection on 28/09/09 for 2 Upland Road

Also see our care home review for 2 Upland Road for more information

This inspection was carried out on 28th September 2009.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Excellent service.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

Annual service review Name of Service: 2 Upland Road The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Sally Seel Date of this annual service review: 2 5 0 9 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: 2 Upland Road Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 0EQ 01527874012 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   maggie.mole@new-dimensions.org.uk www.dimensions-uk.org Dimensions (UK) Ltd Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 4 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 4 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care Home Only (Code PC) To service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability (LD) 4 Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Upland Road is a traditional detached bungalow approximately one mile from Bromsgrove town centre, providing a home for four people. There is easy access to public transport and the town centre, and the home has its own vehicle for people to use. Upland Road aims to promote independence and dignity for people who have a learning disability, in a homely environment. One person has a significant physical disability. People who use the service are encouraged to participate in the running of the home and share in the general household activities within their capabilities. Dimensions (UK) Ltd is now the care provider for the service, having registered with Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 the Commission for Social Care Inspection on 1st April 2006. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last key inspection. This included: The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. Surveys returned to us by people who use the service, from individuals family members and from staff members who work at the home. Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. The previous key inspection. What has this told us about the service? The registered manager of 2 Upland Road sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA). It gave us some information together with real practice examples about the services offered. It included details of the improvements they have made in the last twelve months and their ongoing plans for the future. It is confirmed in the AQAA that the registered manager has strived to improve care planning to make sure that it is person centred to meet individuals needs, choices and wishes. The registered manager confirms how this is going to be done in practice, To promote and develop staffs awareness of the needs of the individual, which will enable the person we support more control over their own life. We are told how this practice benefits people who live at this home:- We plan to offer the chance to try new experiences in regard to activities, choice of holidays and who they wish to take these with - The people living at Upland Road have a flexible daily routine in general, ie. When to get up, when they wish to go to bed, what would they like to do during the day - More flexibility in the home, regarding meal times, choices, where they wish to eat and with whom. Whether this is at home or out of house - Support Plans reflect the people we support. Individual needs with regard to Religion, Cultural and Sexual preferences. The registered manager has highlighted in the AQAA the barriers faced by this service during the last twelve months but has also provided examples of practice which has helped to reduce the barriers. For example, we are told that there are no male members of staff to offer the opportunity for people who are male and living at the Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 home to have the same gender support. However, the registered manager is now in a position to recruit more staff which may result in male staff being selected where appropriate. Another barrier that the registered manager is committed to overcome is staffing levels within the home to ensure that there is flexibility and appropriate staff cover on all shifts. The registered manager has shown us in their AQAA how they plan to improve staffing and reduce barriers in the next twelve months:- To recruit to vacancies preferably with more male staff - To continue to work on a flexible rota system to encompass the needs and wishes of the people we support - To reduce the number of bank shifts and agency hours This shows that the service is proactively working to make certain there are adequate staff on duty at all times so that people living in the home can maintain their care plan choices in a flexible manner so their lives are more meaningful to each person. The registered manager has shown in the AQAA that there is a continuing programme of improvements made to the homes environment. This makes sure that people living in this home have a comfortable homely environment that meets individuals needs. For example, the AQAA tells us that there are plans that have been put forward to the housing association for disabed access and rails. An adapted Parker Bath assists individuals who experience poor mobility to have a bath as it is easier to access and exit. Locks on doors are to be changed to aid security and a door bell provided so that people are able to access the community as they choose. Large pots for people who live in the home to choose to plant vegetables and or flowers as some people in the home have shown an interest in gardening. Also to decorate the small toilet and laundry area. This is positive for individuals but the AQAA also records what has been done so far, such as, staff supporting people to shop and purchase items for their home and garden which reflect their iindivdual tastes and preferences. This shows that the registered manager and staff are listening to how individuals want their home to look like and what personal possessions they would like to decorate their home with. The home is also being changed to meet peoples physical needs. This should make sure that all facilities at 2 Upland Road give people not only choices but are easy to use whatever the persons abilities. The AQAA tells us that five out of seven members of staff have acheived their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2. The registered manager also informs us:- We have good staff, with varying skill mixes and varying ages which in turn enriches the support we offer to the people who live in the home - Clearly defined job descriptions to enable staff to deliver appropriate support on an individual basis - Regular staff meetings - Build relationships with family, advocates, friends and outside agencies - Create an atmosphere that reflects a respectful approach to supporting individuals in Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 the home whilst allowing choice and identifying the needs of those we support - Induction, on going training. regular supervisions and annual appraisals. The registered manager has also worked in the learning disability field for over thirtytwo years and has now acheived their Registered managers Award. This should make certain that people living at 2 Upland Road are supported and assisted by staff who have the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet individuals personal, health and social care needs. Staff have made the following comments in the surveys that we have received in response to what the home does well:Plans well to try and meet the needs and wants of people who live at the home. Listens to what individuals want to do and try their best to facilitate. We provide lots of choice for activities, we promote independence and choice, also treat people with respect like we would like ourselves to be treated. Upland Road has a nice homely environment. Staff responses to what the home could do better were in the main to fulfill staff vacancies quickly and have increased staffing levels so that staff could spend more time on a one to one basis with people who live at the home. The home continues to let us know about the things that have happened since our last key inspection and they have shown that they have managed the issues well. Where necessary we have received notifications of incidents that have happened in the home in the last year together with the appropriate action taken. We have received no complaints and the AQAA also confirms that the registered manager has also not had any complaints during the last twelve months. We looked at all the information we had concerning 2 Upland Road, and our judgement is that they are still providing an excellant service and that they have a clear vision of what further improvements they wish to make. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection plan, and will do a key inspection by 2nd May 2010. However we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. 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