Archived: Chippings

Chippings is a residential care home that provides accommodation and support for a maximum of six adults with a learning disability and or autism. At the time of this inspection there were six people living at the home. People had varied communication needs and abilities. Some people were able to express themselves verbally using one or two words; others used body language and gestures to communicate their needs. Everyone who lived at the home required support from staff for all aspects of their life including emotional and physical support.

During our inspection the registered manager was present. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

Quality assurance audits and checks were completed that helped ensure quality standards were maintained and legislation complied with. Quality assurance processes included obtaining and acting on the views of people in order that their views could be used to drive improvements at the home. Survey findings were not being reported on at the frequency stated in the provider’s policy. We have made a recommendation about this in the main body of our report.

People’s legal rights to consent were upheld. Capacity to make decisions had been assumed by staff unless there was a professional assessment to show otherwise. The home followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Information about people who had a legal right to make decisions on behalf of people was not in place. We have made a recommendation about this in the main body of our report.

Staff were available for people when they needed support in the home and when they wanted to participate in activities outside of the home. Robust recruitment procedures were followed to ensure staff were safe to work with people.

People appeared very happy and at ease in the presence of staff. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to protecting people from harm and abuse.

Medicines were managed safely and staff training in this area included observations of their practice to ensure medicines were given appropriately and with consideration for the person concerned.

Checks on the environment and equipment had been completed to ensure it was safe for people to use.

People were supported to take control of their lives in a safe way. Risks were identified and managed that supported this. Systems were in place for responding to incidents and accidents that happened within the home in order that actions were taken to reduce, where possible reoccurrence.

Staff told us that they had enough time to support people in a safe and timely way. Staff were skilled and experienced to care and support people to have a good quality of life. Training was provided during induction and then on an on-going basis. Staff received a high degree of support that enabled them to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

People's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. People were routinely involved in the review of their care packages. People were supported to access healthcare services and to maintain good health. People had enough to eat and drink throughout the day.

Positive, caring relationships had been developed with people. Staff knew what people could do for themselves and areas where support was needed. Staff appeared dedicated and committed.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Activities were offered and people were supported to increase their independent living skills. People were also supported to maintain contact with people who were important to them.

Staff understood the importance of supporting people to raise concerns. Information of what to do in the event of needing to make a complaint was available to people.

People spoke highly of the registered manager. Staff were motivated and told us that management of the home was good. The registered manager was aware of the attitudes, values and behaviours of staff.

The registered person sent us an action plan dated 30 January 2014 telling us what actions they would take and when they would become fully compliant with the regulations.

At this inspection we found that the provider had taken appropriate steps to ensure that the people were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

The provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service and others.

We noted that staff interactions were positive and people seemed comfortable speaking with the Registered Manager about any concerns they had.

We found that people had been encouraged to express their preferences and choices about their care. Staff had a good understanding of, and acted in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) where people did not have capacity to make some decisions.

We saw that people's care had been reviewed regularly and the service had completed detailed plans of care with each individual. We saw that people's care had been delivered in line with their current assessed needs.

We found that staff were up to date with training around safeguarding vulnerable adults. However, the service had not always reported incidents or possible allegations of abuse to the appropriate authority for investigation.

We found that the appropriate checks had not always been completed to ensure that staff were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

We found that the service did not have suitable procedures in place to monitor the quality of the service that was being provided. This was because they were not routinely seeking the views of people who used the service.