The Minster

Updated 8 March 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection was carried out on 5 January 2018.

The inspection was carried out by two adult social care inspectors and was unannounced.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR and other information we had about the service including statutory notifications. Notifications are information about specific events that the home is legally required to send us. At the last inspection of the service in November 2015 we did not identify any concerns with the care provided.

During the inspection we spoke with five people living at the home and six members of staff and observed staff interactions with people. We looked at two people’s care and support records, all the medicines record sheets, and three staff files. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such health and safety files, accident and incident files, fire safety file, environmental risk assessments, safeguarding file, compliments and complaints file.

Updated 8 March 2018

The Minster specialises in providing care and support to adults who have a learning disability, autism and/or a physical disability. Most people had limited verbal communication. Accommodation is arranged over two levels with stairs providing access to the first floor. The home can accommodate up to 10 people and was full on the day of our inspection. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and the home is staffed 24 hours a day.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

Rating at this inspection

At this inspection we found the service remained Good. At this inspection the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated good

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received safe care because there were systems in place to protect people from abuse and harm. Staff undertook comprehensive risk assessments and developed plans designed to keep people safe with minimum restriction. Staff learnt from incidents and used this learning to improve the service.

The provider ensured there were enough staff to meet both the physical and social care needs of people. Staff underwent suitable recruitment checks and received a full induction and training to support them to carry out their role. Staff received regular supervision and performance was monitored.

The provider ensured checks were carried out to ensure the physical environment was safe and clean.

People were supported to be as independent as possible. Staff ensured people could access the community and also that they could try out new activities. The provider had reduced the amount of restrictive interventions in line with national guidance. This meant that the staff seldom used physical restraint to keep people safe.

People’s care was personalised to meet their individual needs. People had choices about food and drink and were supported to eat a healthy diet. Staff helped people to choose how they would like their rooms decorated. People were encouraged to try new things and to take positive risks.

The Minster had systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service. The service was well run and managed. Staff worked effectively as a team and felt valued and supported. Both staff and people living at the home gave positive feedback about the registered manager.

Further information is in the detailed findings below