This inspection took place on 30 September 2015. To ensure we met staff and the person 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 one person with autism.
The person who lived at the service was a younger adult below the age of sixty five years old. They were able to communicate with us verbally. We talked directly with them and used observations to better understand their 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 person. Each risk assessment included clear control measures to reduce identified risks and guidance for staff to follow to protect the person from potential harm. Risk assessments took account of the person'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 the person's needs. Staffing levels were adjusted according to their changing needs. There were safe recruitment procedures in place which included the checking of references.
Medicines were stored, administered, recorded and disposed of safely and correctly. Staff were trained in the safe administration of medicines and kept relevant records that were accurate.
Staff knew the person well and understood how to meet their support needs. The person’s needs and personal preferences had been assessed and were continually reviewed.
Staff were competent to meet the person'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 an application should be made and how to assess whether a person needed a DoLS.
The staff supported the person to make meals that met their needs and choices. Staff knew about and provided for the person's dietary preferences and needs.
Staff communicated effectively with the person, responded to their needs promptly, and treated them with kindness and respect. The person was satisfied about how their care and treatment was delivered. Their privacy was respected and they were supported in a way that respected their dignity.
The person was involved in their day to day care and support. Their care plans were reviewed with their participation and relatives were invited to attend the reviews and contribute.
Staff made prompt referrals to health care professionals when needed. The person's personal records included their individual plans of care, life history, likes and dislikes and preferred activities. The staff promoted the person’s independence and encouraged them to do as much as possible for themselves. They were involved in planning activities of their choice.
The person received care that responded to their individual care and support needs. They 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 the person at the centre of their care and support. Staff held a clear set of values based on respect for the person, ensuring they had freedom of choice and that they were supported 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.