22 Abbey Drive (West)

Updated 3 March 2018

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 unannounced inspection took place on 15 January 2018. The inspection was completed by an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection, we asked the registered provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We received the completed PIR within the timescale given. We also looked at notifications sent in to us by the provider, which gave us information about how incidents and accidents were managed.

Some people communicated through non-verbal means. We observed interactions with people to establish how well they were supported and their relationships with the staff. We spoke with two people who used the service, the registered manager and three support workers. Following the inspection we received information and feedback from three relatives and a health care professional involved with the service.

We looked at a selection of documentation in each person’s care file including their medication records. We also looked at a selection of records used in the management of the service. These included staff rotas, staff recruitment and training records, quality assurance audit checks, accident and incident records, maintenance checks, surveys and minutes of meetings with staff.

Updated 3 March 2018

22 Abbey Drive (West) is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six younger adults with a learning disability and or autistic spectrum disorder related conditions. The service is a large, semi-detached, period property in a central location in the town, close to all local amenities. Accommodation is provided over two floors with stairs access to the first floor. On the day of our inspection there were three people living at the service, two of whom attended the local Linkage college facility full-time.

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 a learning disability and/or autism using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.

We last inspected the service on 1 December 2015 and the service was rated as Good with one area rated as Outstanding. At this inspection we found the service remained Good with one area rated as Outstanding.

There was an exceptionally person-centred culture apparent within the service with care tailored to meet the needs, wishes and aspirations of each individual. People were well supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives to achieve their potential and to express their views. People received outstanding care and support from a well-trained, well-supported and motivated group of staff.

The service fostered and maintained strong links with external organisations and within the local community. There was a strong emphasis on key principles of care such as compassion, inclusion, respect, dignity and enablement. Comments from relatives were very complimentary and consistent stating they were extremely happy with the care and support the service provided. Some considered the progress their family members had made far exceeded their expectations. They also told us communication with support and college staff was excellent.

We found personalised programmes and flexible staffing arrangements enabled people to learn to live fulfilled and meaningful lives. Staff knew people well and were skilled at ensuring they were safe whilst encouraging them to stretch their potential and achieve as much independence as possible. People participated in a range of vocational, educational and personal development programmes at the organisation’s college facility. They also accessed a range of community facilities and completed activities within the service. They were encouraged to follow and develop social interests and be active and healthy. All programmes and support were geared towards promoting the person’s independence, inclusion and support them into adulthood.

Care plans had been developed to provide guidance for staff to support in the positive management of behaviours that may challenge the service and others. This was based on least restrictive practice guidance to support people safety.

Systems in place minimised the risk of harm to people. These included effective risk assessment of people’s needs, safeguarding matters, management of medicines, safe recruitment and effective management of accidents and incidents. The environment was well maintained and the provider had ensured all appropriate safety checks had been made.

People’s health and nutritional needs were met. People were supported to attend appointments and access community health care professionals for advice and treatment when required. The menus were developed with people where possible and provided them with a variety of nutritious meals.

Staff followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when there were concerns people lacked capacity and important decisions needed to be made. When restrictions on a person’s liberty were necessary the registered manager had ensured the correct application had been made to protect the person’s legal rights.

There was a quality monitoring system in place which consisted of audits, checks, the management of complaints and obtaining people’s views about the service.

The registered manager was very experienced and had managed this service and others within the organisation for a number of years. They demonstrated strong leadership which put people first, set high expectations for staff and led by example. A very positive, caring culture was evident at the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.