Ingleby Care is a respite service that provides short stay support for up to three people who have learning disabilities. On the day we visited there were two clients using the service, one was at their day service the other person was in the home. We spoke to this person before she went out with a member of staff. The staff member on duty and the manager understood the clients' communication methods. They assisted during our conversation by explaining what the person was saying when we didn't quite understand. We observed staff interacting with the client in a friendly and supportive manner encouraging the person to get their things together so they could go out. A support plan and needs assessment had been completed by the respite unit. The plan of care was in a user friendly format which included drawings to assist the client understand what was written. Plans are person centred which means they are based on the persons' strengths as well as support needs. Plans included information about communication methods and maintaining dignity during care support. Care plans showed that where possible people are encouraged and supported to do things for themselves, for example, "I am able to dress myself but I struggle with buttons and zips". The care file contained a ' what you need to know about me' document which showed at a glance the persons daily routines, likes and dislikes.
The home has procedures in place to make sure people who stay in the unit remain safe from harm. Staff complete safeguarding training and there is a risk assessment procedure in place that shows how identified risks are managed or minimised. Records showed staff had been recruited properly and had completed the training required to support people who use the respite service. The communication assessment for the person we pathway tracked included, 'Staff are to offer me a choice of only 2 things to begin with. Allow me time to consider my options. I need staff not to guess my response'.
At the time of this visit clients using the service were not prescribed medication. Records show staff had completed medication training and had been assessed as competent to administer medicines safely so would be able to support clients to take medication if they needed to.
The home continues to provide an excellent environment for people who use the respite service. It is well maintained and rooms are decorated and furnished to a high standard. The client who was there during our visit showed us the bedroom she was using during her stay which she said was lovely.
The home has good monitoring systems in place and satisfaction surveys are sent to clients and their relatives following visits. Returned surveys for 2011 showed that people are happy with the respite service. The client survey was in an easy read format and people had circled the thumbs up drawing to show a positive response.
The satisfaction survey sent to parents/relatives asks ' Do you feel involved in the decision making around the customers care'. Four surveys had been returned and all indicated they did feel involved.