Sefton New Directions Limited - Poplars Resource Centre

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to nine people. Three people were using the service at the time of the inspection. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

People’s experience of using this service:

The service provided short-term, respite care and support in accordance with best-practice. People who used the service and their relatives spoke very positively about their experience and the care provided by staff.

Staff treated people with kindness and respect and supported their dignity in a sensitive manner. People were encouraged and supported to maintain and improve their independence. They were actively involved in decision-making regarding their own care and developments within the service.

Staff knew people very well. They understood their needs and provided effective care to keep them safe. Risk was subject to regular review and was effectively managed. People received their medicines as prescribed from trained staff. The home was clean and generally well-maintained. Refurbishment plans were in place to further improve the environment.

Staff received regular training and support and were equipped to provide effective care. Additional training was available in relation to specialist health conditions. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Care records captured important information regarding people’s histories, families and preferences. This information was used to adjust the provision of care to meet each person’s needs.

The registered manager, provider and staff promoted an open, positive culture with a focus on high-quality, person-centred care. The registered manager and provider made effective use of audits and other sources of information to review and improve practice. The home had forged links with other services and resources in the local community to support further development.

More information is provided in the full report.

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 20 December 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating from the last comprehensive inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Sefton New Directions Limited - Poplars Resource Centre is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to nine people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The people who used the service can have both physical and psychological support and care needs. The home comprises a main building and a bungalow next door. At the time of the inspection four people were staying in the home for short term breaks.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 appropriately trained and skilled and provided care in a safe and well maintained environment. Staff fully understood their roles and responsibilities.

The staff were up to date in various training sessions including training on safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act to make sure that the care and support provided was safe and effective to meet their needs.

The provider had safe recruitment procedures. They employed skilled staff and took steps to make sure that staff were suitable to provide care and support that met the needs of people who used Poplars Resource Centre.

Staffing levels are determined by people’s individual needs. The provider offered choices for when someone wanted to stay and often people requested dates when their friends were staying. They planned when they needed to bring more staff into the service, especially when they had planned group activities and trips out.

Staff working in the service understood the needs of the people coming to stay and we saw that care and support was provided with respect and kindness. People who used the service told us they were all very happy with the service and their care.

Staff were aware of nutritional needs and made sure they supported people to have choices in offering a good variety of food and drink during each person’s stay

throughout our inspection we saw examples of good communication and involving people who were enjoying their break at the service. People told us they felt included and consulted in the planning of their support and were treated with respect. People told us they received the care and support they requested and needed.

Everyone we spoke with said they felt comfortable to raise any concerns with staff; nobody had any concerns or complaints about the service.

The provider had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service. The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care consistently. The service encouraged feedback from people who use the service and their families, which they used to make improvements to the respite service.

We looked at comments made by relatives who said, 'The service allows me to leave (Name) and relax knowing they're in safe hands. That's priceless', 'I don't know how I would cope without the Poplars', 'They're always well cared for when they stay', '(name) enjoys all the activities; there's a good variety.'

We spoke with the acting manager for the day and support staff on duty at the time of our visit. We observed some interaction between support staff and one person receiving a service to be positive, with staff being supportive, sensitive and encouraging in a non-patronising manner.

We looked at the care records and found they contained all of the relevant documents to support a person safely. We found they showed people's likes and dislikes and daily routines.

We looked at the complaints policy for the home. We saw evidence any complaints had been dealt with in accordance with the procedure.