The inspection was carried out by a single inspector. On the day of our inspection we were told that there were seven people using the service. We spoke with four members of staff and the registered manager, who is also the provider, six people living at the home, one family member, one advocate and one community nurse who visited on the day of inspection. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service which included three care records, risk assessments and care plans, staff files, training records and quality assurance information. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask:Is the service safe?
The provider had a system in place to monitor the quality of the service and ensure that people received safe care.
Infection control arrangements were in place to minimise the risk of infection and people were cared for in a clean and hygienic environment.
Risk assessments included moving and handling, continence, managing challenging behaviour, medication and the risk of pressure sores. Risk assessments had been reviewed regularly to reflect people's changing conditions.
Is the service effective?
There were arrangements in place to gain peoples consent for care. Where people were unable to consent there were arrangements in place to ensure their best interests were acted upon.
We saw evidence that risk assessments were used to ensure that care was individual and effective in meeting people's needs.
Staff had appropriate induction and on-going training and were supported to ensure they had the skills and competencies to care for people effectively.
Relatives and external support workers told us that the care provided was good. One relative told us 'They couldn't do anymore.'
Is the service caring?
We saw that people who used the service were treated individually and that staff were considerate and caring towards them. We witnessed staff making different lunches for each person and saw that activities were arranged to support their interests.
People who used the service told us that staff were kind. One person told us, 'I really like it here' another told us that they felt supported, their concentration was much better and they had done, 'Really well' in school since living at the home.
Is the service responsive?
Care records and risk assessments detailed the individual needs and interests of each person who used the service. Each person had a keyworker so that any changes that were required could be responded to.
We saw that other health and social care professionals were involved regularly so that changes in health or circumstances could be addressed quickly.
Is the service well-led?
The provider ensured that monthly audits of various aspects of the services operations were completed. We saw notes of where audits had identified concerns and action plans detailing actions to be taken.
There was evidence of staff receiving monthly supervision, regular training and a staff questionnaire.
We saw that people using the service, relatives and staff were asked for their feedback and that action was taken as a result.
We spoke with relatives and external support workers who were complimentary about the management of the service and felt that the registered manager did a, 'Really good job.' Staff we spoke with said that it felt like a family and that they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. One person said, 'It feels like a family.'