Background to this inspection
Updated
16 February 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 17 January 2019 and was
unannounced. There was 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 two people who used the service, two members of care staff, and the registered manager. We looked at the premises and some people's rooms with their permission. We looked at two care 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
16 February 2019
Mencap is a small residential care home for up to eight of whom have a learning disability or mental health issues. The service provides support and social interaction to enable people to become more independent in the community. At the time of this inspection the service was supporting seven people with personal care.
Our last inspection at Mencap in Kirklees took place on 24 March 2016 when the service was rated Good overall.
There was a manager at the service who was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People we spoke with were very positive about the support provided to them. They said they felt safe and staff were respectful and kind.
We found there were systems in place to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff we spoke with could explain the procedures to follow should an allegation of abuse be made.
Assessments identified risks to people, and management plans to reduce the risks were in place to ensure people's safety without restriction.
Staff recruitment records were robust and promoted people’s safety.
Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines. However, we did speak to the registered manager about the need to ensure the labelling of topical creams took place.
There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and to provide one to one support for some people.
Staff were provided with relevant training to ensure they had the skills needed to support people.
Staff were provided with supervision and appraisal for development and support. Staff told us the registered manager was very approachable. People and staff told us they felt their concerns would be listened to.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The registered provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.
Staff knew people they were supporting well and had developed a positive relationship with them. In our conversations with staff they displayed compassion, consideration and respect for people who they supported.
There were a variety of methods available for the registered provider to assess and monitor the quality of the service. We found quality assurance processes were effective in ensuring compliance with regulations, identifying areas requiring improvement and acting on them