Covenant Care - The Wheelhouse

At the last inspection the service was also registered to provide personal care to people who live in their five supported living houses. In November 2020 the supported living side of the service had separated from The Wheelhouse and has registered as a new location.

In March 2019, we inspected the service where we identified three breaches of regulations in relation to safeguarding people from abuse, consent and good governance. Following this inspection, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) took enforcement action by imposing a condition on the provider's registration. This required the provider to provide CQC with a monthly report outlining actions and progress towards making the required improvements. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and we have removed the imposed condition.

We made two recommendations at the March 2019 inspection, one in relation to infection control and one relating to following our publish guidance relating to submitting statutory notifications. At this inspection we found improvements had been made.

There were significant improvements in leadership and quality monitoring systems, with evidence of improvement actions taken in response to training, safeguarding, restrictions, risks, supervisions and incidents and audits. The provider sent monthly reports to CQC, so we could monitor progress. Effective audits were in place to check the quality of the care provision and action was taken to address any concerns.

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 by staff who understood how to keep them safe. People's risks were assessed, and staff understood how to manage risk.

People's medicines were administered safely

Staff wore Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with current guidance and promoted good Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice. We discussed with the registered manager about how they could improve how people maximised social distancing within the home and how people coming to the service for respite could be admitted safely. The registered manager said they would review these areas. Staff helped people keep in touch with their friends and relatives throughout the pandemic, which helped alleviate their worries. Visiting had resumed with the appropriate testing and safeguards in place to prevent cross infection.

People's needs, and choices were assessed, and care was delivered in line with their care plans. People were supported by staff who had the required training and the skills to meet their needs. People were encouraged to maintain a balanced diet. Staff worked alongside health professionals to deliver effective care to people.

Staff knew people well and people's care was more personalised. People were supported by kind and caring staff who respected them and promoted their dignity. People were supported by staff who promoted their independence.

People were supported by staff who understood their communication and sensory needs. People were encouraged to engage in activities of their choice. A complaints policy was in place and was followed.

People were supported by a new registered manager and staff team who were proactive in empowering people to achieve their desired goals. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and deputy manager.

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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support: The model of care used at Covenant Care, fully maximised choice, control and independence for people with a learning disability. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends residential care 'should usually be provided in small, local community-based units (of no more than six people)'. This service is registered for ten people with three of these people having separate accommodation with their own kitchenette and lounge area. The main shared communal area for the other seven registered beds was spacious which enabled people to move around in safety and have their own space.

Right care: The care and support provided, met the needs of people with learning disabilities. Staff had received the training needed on how to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism and had the skills they needed to provide appropriate support. A consistent staff team had been established after a period of staff turnover. This meant people received care from staff they knew and trusted.

People's care was person centred, planned with people having choice and control over how their health and care needs were met. Care plans were focused on people's strengths, abilities and individual goals.

Right culture: The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the registered manager, deputy manager and care staff ensured people with learning disabilities led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff had the skills needed and the environment was suited to supporting needs of people with learning disabilities.