This inspection took place on 23 May 2017 and was unannounced. At our last inspection in April 2015, we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.
The Beeches (The Drive) provides accommodation and support to eight people with a learning disability.
There was a registered manager in place. 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.
There were quality assurance and governance systems in place to drive continuous improvement; however, the systems were not always working effectively because the provider had not identified some health and safety issues. Improvement was also needed in the management of medicines to ensure people remained safe.
The registered manager had not always informed us of any notifiable incidents in the service.
The provider had a complaints procedure. People and their relatives felt able to raise concerns with the management of the service if they needed to.
The provider had a safe system for the recruitment of staff. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the needs of people who used the service.
People were supported to maintain good health and access healthcare services. Advice from other professionals was sought when needed.
The provider had systems in place to protect people from avoidable harm. People told us they felt safe and staff had received training in safeguarding people and knew how to recognise and report it. Risks to people were appropriately assessed and managed.
Staff had a good understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, and the importance of gaining consent before providing care to people. The registered manager had made applications in relation to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to the supervisory body.
Staff received appropriate training and support to help them in their roles. They received regular supervision and appraisal.
People's needs were assessed and detailed care plans were in place to enable staff to provide personalised care. Care plans were reviewed regularly.
People received adequate nutrition and hydration to maintain their levels of health and wellbeing. They were given choices of food at meal times.
People were treated with dignity and respect by the staff. Their independence was promoted. We saw staff interacting with people in a caring manner. People were supported to make lifestyle choices.
Staff felt supported by the registered manager and relatives commented positively on the way the service was run. The registered manager welcomed comments to improve the service.
We found four breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we have told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.