9 March 2015
During a routine inspection
Harriotts Lane provides accommodation, support and personal care for up to four people with learning disabilities. Some people may also have multiple and complex needs. For example a learning disability and a physical disability, no or limited speech, or autistic. Three people were living in the home at the time of our inspection. The manager described the level of need as “High”.
This inspection took place on 9 March 2015 and was unannounced.
The service is not required to have a registered manager in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. Overall responsibility and accountability for the service lies with the provider, who owns the service. The provider was the person responsible for maintaining contact with the people’s placing authority care managers and ensuring their contracted care was provided. Care managers are the placing authority’s representatives who are responsible for assessing the needs, reassessing and managing any care package and ensuring the continuing wellbeing of the people they place.
The provider had systems in place to make sure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff knew how to report suspected abuse and their responsibilities for doing so. Assessments were undertaken to identify people’s health and support needs and any risks to people. Plans were in place to reduce the risks identified in assessments.
People were supported by enough suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work. Medicines were administered appropriately and managed well. Medicines were stored securely.
People were provided with a choice of healthy food and drink to make sure their nutritional needs were met. At mealtimes people ate well and were offered choices.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. These safeguards protect the rights of people by ensuring if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty these have been authorised by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. We found the home to be meeting the requirements of DoLS.
People were supported in a way that promoted their dignity by being spoken to kindly and were given choices about what they wanted to do and when. Staff were caring in their approach to people, giving them attention and not rushing them with support. Staff knew people well and clearly understood their individual needs and preferences.
Care plans were developed with people to identify how they wished to be supported. Plans were regularly reviewed and up to date.
Observations of interactions between the registered manager and staff showed they were inclusive and positive and promoted a transparent culture where the people came first. Staff told us they felt supported in their work and were supported to access training. Staff told us they felt comfortable raising concerns with them or to suggest ideas for improvement and any concerns raised were taken seriously.
There was a complaints process available. Relatives and care professionals we spoke with all said they never had any formal complaints. Relatives told us that the registered manager and staff communicated well with them and would take prompt action where needed so they never had the need to make a complaint.
The provider analysed and acted on information acquired from quality assurance questionnaires to monitor and improve the quality of care.