This inspection took place 28 and 29 October 2014. This was an unannounced inspection. We last inspected Eastcliffe in November 2013. At that inspection we found the provider was meeting all the regulations that we inspected.
Eastcliffe provides residential care for up to 10 people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people living at the home.
The home 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.
We saw that people were happy living at the service. They told us the service was "Good," and "It's lovely." People’s relatives were confident they were safe. One told us, "I just land on them and I have never found a negative environment. {My relative} is always smiling and he is very positive." Staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and knew how to identify and report any signs of abuse. The provider identified risks to people and ensured staff knew what to do to help keep them safe.
The premises were well-maintained and safe for people and staff to use. We saw there were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to keep people safe and meet their needs. Relatives we spoke with were also confident about this. One relative commented, "There's more than enough staff. We're very happy with them. They feel like family." We found there were thorough recruitment procedures in place. This helped to protect people as checks had been carried out on potential staff before a decision was made to employ them.
We found people’s medicines were managed safely. Staff followed safe procedures which helped ensure people’s medicines were stored correctly, ordered in time and given to them when they needed them.
Staff told us they felt supported by the provider, by way of training, supervision and appraisal. This helped them provide effective care for people. Relatives we spoke with were confident the staff team had the skills needed to care for people well. One relative described what this had meant for their family member who lived at the service. "My husband and I cannot praise this provision highly enough. It is an excellent service provider with staff that have empathy and understanding and the skills, knowledge and experience to support our son. He is happy, well cared for and continues to make progress."
We found that the service provided good care for people. This had led to people becoming much more settled and happy over the years. For instance, one relative described how their family member had changed as a result of the care provided by Eastcliffe. They said, “His body language and body position is much more settled. He has gone from being a hyperactive boy to a very poised adult. They know his needs and always get his permission (to provide care)."
The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Some staff could not explain the relevance of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the DoLS in relation to their work, although they had been given training about this.
We found people were supported to eat and drink enough and maintain a balanced diet. Staff understood the individual needs of people in relation to eating and drinking and they monitored this. Relatives we spoke with told us this aspect of their family members’ care was managed very well. Staff supported people to maintain good health and to access healthcare services where necessary.
People and their family members told us they were well cared for and treated with dignity and respect. They said, “I am happy here.” “Staff listen to you.” A relative commented, “They are really caring. It’s like a big family.”
People were provided with individualised support which took account of their specific needs. Their needs and wishes were described fully in their support plans.
People and their relatives were very satisfied with the care provided. None of the relatives we spoke with had felt the need to make any complaint about the service. They were confident that if they had any concerns, the service would respond and deal with these appropriately.
There was an established registered manager who had managed the service for over ten years. He had ensured there was an open and positive culture in the service. People and their relatives felt supported by him. Relatives in particular, felt that his management had led to positive improvements in their family members’ wellbeing. For instance, one relative told us, "I speak to Mike Winters [registered manager] and (a senior member of staff); they are very open. It's very nicely run. Every time I go, the staff are happy. My relative's behaviour has changed to become much more positive."
The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided and identify where any improvements were needed.