Southlees

Updated 9 January 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection. The inspection took place on 10 December 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our inspection as we needed to be sure someone would be in to speak with us. The inspection team was made up of one adult social care inspector.

We gathered and reviewed information before the inspection such as the provider information return (PIR), notifications about the service and liaison with other agencies, such as the local authority and safeguarding team.

We spoke with one person who used the service, one member of care staff and the registered manager (who was also the registered provider). We looked at the premises including one person’s room with their permission. We looked at two support plans, two staff files, training and supervision records and documentation to show how the service was run, such as maintenance records, policies, procedures and audits.

Updated 9 January 2019

Southlees is a care home providing personal care for up to six people with a learning disability. There were five people in total living in the home at the time of the inspection. At our last inspection in 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The registered provider was working within 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 were supported to live as ordinary life as any citizen.

People were safely cared for because systems and processes underpinned the individual support they needed. Risks were appropriately assessed and mitigated, with each person’s full involvement where possible.

People were safely and individually supported with their medicines and staff demonstrated good understanding and safe practice for this. Medicines were securely stored. We spoke to the registered manager about the importance of labelling opened medication.

Staff understood how to safeguard people from harm, and there was a thorough system for recording and learning from accidents and incidents. Premises and equipment were regularly checked for safety.

Staff training and supervision was continuous and staff were very well supported in their role.

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 supported this practice.

People were supported to lead healthy lives and there were effective links with other professionals.

People’s dietary needs were well met and understood by staff.

Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and there were good opportunities for people to be independent. There was a very friendly, supportive atmosphere and people said they were cared for.

Care was person centred and people’s individual needs were promoted and respected. Care records showed individual preferences and people choose their own preferred lifestyle.

The registered provider was very involved in people’s care and support and they knew each person well. There was clear effective leadership and teamwork, with good communication at all levels.

Audits were in place and regular feedback was sought about the quality of the service. Documentation was securely filed and wherever possible, easy-read formats were produced so people were very well included and informed.

Further information is in the detailed findings below