Archived: The Elms

This inspection took place on the 12 and 22 October 2015 and was unannounced.

The service is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to three people with learning disabilities and a personal care service to people with learning disabilities who live in either their own accommodation or accommodation they rent from the provider. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people living at The Elms and up to eight people who received personal care in their own homes. Everyone had received a service from the provider for a number of years.

We saw that people were well supported and cared for in relaxed and homely environments. Everyone we were able to speak to complimented the staff who supported them and where people had limited communication we observed that people were calm and responded positively to staff.

There were appropriate recruitment processes in place and people felt safe and were observed to interact positively with staff and each other. Staff understood their responsibilities to safeguard people and knew how to respond if they had any concerns.

Staff were supported through regular supervisions and undertook training which focussed on helping them to understand the needs of the people they were supporting. People were involved in decisions about the way in which their care and support was provided. Staff understood the need to undertake specific assessments if people lacked capacity to consent to their care and / or their day to day routines. People’s health care and nutritional needs were carefully considered and relevant health care professionals were appropriately involved in people’s care.

People received care from staff who were kind and compassionate and who were committed to respecting their individuality and promoting their independence. Their needs were assessed prior to receiving a service, individualised care plans were in place and were kept under review. Staff had taken time to understand peoples likes, dislikes and past life’s and enabled people to participate in activities either individually or in groups.

People were cared for by staff who were respectful of their dignity and who demonstrated an understanding of each person’s needs. This was evident in the way staff spoke to people and engaged in conversations with them. Relatives commented positively about the care their relative was receiving and it was evident that people and their families could approach management and staff to discuss any issues or concerns they had.

There were a variety of audits in place and action was taken to address any shortfalls. Management was visible and open to feedback, actively looking at ways to improve and develop the service.