This inspection took place on 16 November 2015. To ensure we met staff and the people that lived at the service, we gave short notice of our inspection.
This location is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to a maximum of four people with learning disabilities and people with an autism spectrum disorder. Four people lived at the service at the time of our inspection.
People who lived at the service were younger and older adults with learning disabilities. People had different communication needs. Some people communicated verbally. Other people communicated using sign language, gestures and body language. We talked directly with people and used observations to better understand people's needs.
The home had a registered manager. 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.
Staff were trained in how to protect people from abuse and harm. They knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to raise an alert if they had any concerns. Risk assessments were centred on the needs of the individual. Each risk assessment included clear control measures to reduce identified risks and guidance for staff to follow to make sure people were protected from harm. Risk assessments took account of people’s right to make their own decisions.
Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to identify how the risks of reoccurrence could be reduced. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels were adjusted according to people’s changing needs. There were safe recruitment procedures in place which included the checking of references.
Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely and correctly. Staff were trained in the safe administration of medicines and kept relevant records that were accurate.
Staff knew each person well and understood how to meet their support needs. Each person’s needs and personal preferences had been assessed and were continually reviewed.
Staff were competent to meet people’s needs. Staff received on-going training and supervision to monitor their performance and professional development. Staff were supported to undertake a professional qualification in social care to develop their skills and competence.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood when a DoLS application should be made and how to assess whether a person needed a DoLS.
Staff supported people to make meals that met their needs and choices. Staff knew about and provided for people’s dietary preferences and needs.
Staff communicated effectively with people, responded to their needs promptly, and treated them with kindness and respect. People were satisfied about how their care and support was delivered. People’s privacy was respected and people were assisted in a way that respected their dignity.
People were involved in their day to day care and support. People’s care plans were reviewed with their participation and relatives were invited to attend the reviews and contribute.
People were promptly referred to health professionals when needed. Personal records included people’s individual plans of care, life history, likes and dislikes and preferred activities. Staff promoted people’s independence and encouraged people to do as much as possible for themselves. People were involved in planning activities of their choice.
People received care that responded to their individual care and support needs. People were provided with accessible information about how to make a complaint and received staff support to make their views and wishes known.
There was an open culture that put people at the centre of their care and support. Staff held a clear set of values based on respect for people, ensuring people had freedom of choice and support to be as independent as possible.
People and staff were encouraged to comment on the service provided and their feedback was used to identify service improvements. There were audit processes in place to monitor the quality of the service.