About the service The Mount Camphill Community is a residential home providing accommodation and personal care for 30 people. The service is split into an independent specialist college for people with learning disabilities that provides education and learning for people aged 16 to 25 to promote and develop their independence. This part of the service runs during term time only. The service also provides living accommodation in five houses, four on site and one within a short walking distance from the community. At the time of the inspection there were 20 people staying at the college all of whom were aged 18 or over and a further 10 people living in the five houses receiving personal care. Although the two parts of the service were separate they shared the same staff leadership team and the same policies and procedures. The students in the college reside in three of the five houses and people who only receive personal care reside in two of the houses.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us that they felt safe and protected from harm and abuse. The service had a safeguarding manager and all staff had been trained and were able to tell us what amounted to abuse and the steps they would take if necessary. Staff were aware of the whistleblowing policy. Accidents and incidents were reported, recorded and causes analysed with learning being taken forward. All safety checks were up to date. People were supported with their medicines. Bespoke risk assessments were in place for people and were subject to regular reviews.
A comprehensive induction process involved staff living within the community and getting to know people and the role. Staff had been safely recruited and ongoing support was provided through supervision and appraisal meetings. All staff training was up to date and regular refreshers had been completed. People had annual health checks and were supported throughout the year to access health and social care professionals. People were encouraged to help prepare meals and everyone was provided with choice of healthy foods appropriate to them. Mental capacity assessments and best interest meetings had taken place where appropriate and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were in place for some people. People were given choice and opportunities.
People’s dignity, privacy and independence were all respected and promoted. A relative said, “No words to thank them enough. (My loved one) is a different person, they understand their surroundings, they are positive and their speech has improved tremendously.” People were treated with respect. We saw everyone being included and involved in conversations and activities and everyone looked happy and content.
Person centred care was practised and staff knew people well. People were involved in a range of activities across the community. The college provided individual study programs that people could access which included a variety of academic, physical and practical elements. There was a range of on-site activities for example, gardening, pottery, baking and carpentry. A relative said, “It’s opened (my loved one’s) eyes to whole new world, I would recommend this place to anyone.” A complaints policy was in place and was accessible to people and relatives and everyone knew how to complain and raise concerns if needed.
Everyone spoke well of the registered manager who provided a positive and visible presence throughout the service. Auditing processes were in place and were all carried out or were overseen by the registered manager. Feedback was sought from people and relatives / guardians in the form of meetings and questionnaires. Feedback was also sought from staff and professionals. The service is set in a rural setting but maintained strong links with the local community
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
Good. (Report published 15 February 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based upon the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.