Archived: Valley Road

Valley Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to five people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection five people were living at the home. The home provides a service for younger adults who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. Accommodation at the home is provided over two floors, which can be accessed using stairs.

The service 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.

People told us they were safe and well cared for at the home. Staff knew how to identify abuse and protect people from it. Staff knew the individual needs of the people they supported very well.

The service had carried out risk assessments to ensure that they protected people from harm.

People were supported to take positive risks to enhance their independence, whilst staff took action to protect them from avoidable harm. Where risks were identified, there was guidance for staff on the ways to keep people safe in the home.

There were enough staff deployed to provide the support people needed. People received care from staff that they knew and who knew how they wanted to be supported.

The provider had robust recruitment processes in place to further ensure that people were kept safe.

Staff received training, regular supervision an appraisal to ensure their knowledge and skills up to date and at the required frequency.

Medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely.

Staff had developed caring relationships with people who used the service. People were included in decisions about their care.

People who required support to eat or drink received this in a patient and kind way.

Car plans were reflective of the needs of people and contained guidance for staff to manage specific conditions.

Staff had a clear understanding of the visions and values of the service and provided kind and compassionate care.

The registered manager was knowledgeable about The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The Metal Capacity Act Code of Practice was followed when people were not able to make important decisions themselves. The manager understood their responsibility to ensure people’s rights were protected.

People and relatives were asked for their views on the service and their comments were acted on. There was no restriction on when people could visit the home. People were able to see their friends and families when they wanted.

Valley Road was providing accommodation, care and support to three people with a learning disability, physical disability or sensory impairment. Some of the people using the service had complex needs which meant they were not all able to tell us their experiences.

On the first day we visited Valley Road we looked at documentation such as care plans, policies and procedures, training records, staff records, surveys and audit material. We spoke with the manager, area manager, three members of staff and two people using the service.

On the second day we spoke with three relatives of people using the service in telephone conversations.

In this report the name of Eva Elzbieta Raczka appears who was not in post and not managing the regulatory activities at this location at the time of the inspection. Their name appears because they were still a Registered Manager on our register at the time.

We gathered evidence against the outcomes we inspected to help answer our five key questions.

This is a summary of what we found '

Is the service safe?

The service was safe. Each support worker was knowledgeable about people's care needs and was able to describe the strategies in place to support people effectively and to keep them safe from possible abuse.

People we spoke with confirmed that they felt safe in the house. One person told us: "I feel very safe here - I am very happy. There is always someone to talk to" People told us they could talk to any member of staff if they had any concerns.

The manager confirmed and we saw staff received training in safeguarding of vulnerable adults on commencement at the service and received refresher training annually. Support staff we spoke with were able to describe the main types of abuse and the actions they would take if abuse was suspected.

The provider had taken steps to provide care in an environment that was suitably designed and adequately maintained. The home is set in a residential area and is in keeping with its surroundings. We saw the interior of the home was well lit and ventilated. Communal rooms within the house were of sufficient size to provide opportunities for people to participate in social, daily living or educational activities, either individually or with others.

Staff records contained proof of identity and two references, at least one of which had been provided by a previous employer. We saw checks had been undertaken for all new staff with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. The manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one and was aware of recent changes to the legislation. Support staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were able to demonstrate their understanding of assessing people's capacity to make decisions.

Is the service effective?

The service was effective. The manager told us people's care plans were reviewed at regular intervals or as needs changed. They told us the person and at least one member of staff was involved in the review. We saw the last two monthly reviews for two people who using the service and found these were extensive and included the views of the person.

Is the service caring?

The service was caring. Daily records were completed during each shift and included any observations throughout the day and any actions taken. These evidenced people received support and care that was specific to their needs and wishes. We observed staff interacted with people in a supportive and compassionate manner.

Is the service responsive?

The service was responsive. We saw people's needs were monitored and referrals were made to health professionals appropriately. This helped to ensure that the delivery of care was responsive to people's changing needs. The records showed that any identified concerns were followed up and appropriate action was taken.

Is the service well led?

The service was well led. During the inspection the manager explained how they assessed the needs of people in the service. Support staff confirmed they developed care plans by talking with the person using the service and also gained information from family, friends and professionals.

There were arrangements in place to check the home's working practice and procedures were followed properly and the quality of the service was maintained and where necessary improved.