Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 5th January 2010. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.
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.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for The Knowls.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Knowls The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good 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: Alison Philpott Date of this annual service review: 1 6 1 1 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: 86 Trull Road Taunton Somerset TA1 4QW 01823327080 01823353691 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Home First & Foremost Ltd Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 14 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 14. The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of either gender whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability - (Code LD) 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 The Knowls is a large semi-detached Victorian house situated close to Taunton town centre. The home is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide accommodation for up to fourteen people with learning disabilities. Two of the fourteen people live separately in an area of the house, known as Lomond House. An Art Room is located in the grounds of the home. The gardens have been well maintained and are accessible to service users.
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 The Registered Manager is Miss. Sarah Fry. The Registered Provider is Voyage Ltd. Voyage (formerly Home First and Foremost) achieved Investors in People status in December 2001. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 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 annual service review. 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 from people with an interest in the service. - What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service, these are called notifications and are a legal requirement. - Relevant information from other organisations. - What other people have told us about the service. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the home is still providing a good service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. People who live at the home told us they are happy. Comments included its good here, I like having nice things, and I like it at The Knowls all the time. People told us that the staff treat them well and listen to them. One person said they treat you nicely and take you camping. People who live at the home told us that they can choose how they spend their time. Comments included I go out in the minibus for walks and picnics; I can stay in bed and have a long lie in and I go and see my mum and sister on Saturday. Staff help me. A health professional and two staff told us they felt there could be more activities and days out. The home told us on the AQAA that they plan to source more activities and holidays. We received four surveys from health professionals. They were positive about the care and support being provided at the home. They told us staff are extremely willing to support clients and share time and knowledge of client with outside agencies; has permanent staff that know the residents well and contacting community manager for safeguarding concerns. One health professional commented that they felt the home could do better if they were more proactive in contacting professionals before behaviour gets to crisis. Staff who completed surveys told us that they are kept well informed and given up to date information about the needs of the people they support. They confirmed that they receive relevant training and are kept up to date with new ways of working. When asked what does the home do well?, comments included the home is well run with an excellent manager and deputy manager; staff work well as a team and given full Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 support; and training is good. We asked staff are there enough staff to meet the individual needs of all the people who use the service?; 3 said always; 4 said usually and one said sometimes. The home told us on the AQAA that they plan to recruit more staff. People who live at the home told us that they know what to do if they have any concerns. The home told us that they have not received any complaints in the last 12 months. We have not received any complaints about the service. The home continues to let us know about things that have happened since our last key inspection and they have shown that they have managed issues well. We have received notifications which contain a good level of detail. The home told us the action they have taken in response to any incidents. They also contacted relevant people to ensure they had done everything that they needed to. They work well with us and have shown us that their service continues to provide good outcomes for the people who use it. 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 14th November 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 5 of 6 Reader Information
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