3 November 2016
During a routine inspection
Long Barn is a supported living service for up to six people with a learning disability, autism, communication needs and challenging behaviours. At the time of the inspection, there were six people living at the service. The service consisted of a main house where four people shared a kitchen and communal living area and a further two self-contained flats on site for which the other two people lived in.
People had significant communication needs. People mainly used body language, gestures or sounds to communicate, some people could use a few key words to communicate their needs.
There was 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.
People’s medicines were administered, stored and disposed of safely. Staff were trained in the safe administration of medicines and kept relevant and accurate records. However where some people had an as required medicine, there weren't always guidelines in place to tell staff when and how people should have them. We have made a recommendation about this in the report.
There were sufficient staff to keep people safe. There were recruitment practises in place to ensure that staff were safe to work with vulnerable people.
People were protected from avoidable harm. Staff received training in safeguarding adults and were able to demonstrate that they knew the procedures to follow should they have any concerns.
Staff had written information about risks to people and how to manage these. Risk assessments were in place for a variety of tasks such as personal care, activities, health conditions, and the environment and they were updated frequently. The registered manager ensured that actions had been taken after incidents and accidents occurred.
People’s human rights were protected as the registered manager ensured that the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed. Where people were assessed to lack capacity to make some decisions, mental capacity assessment and best interest meetings had been undertaken. Staff were heard to ask peoples consent before they provided care.
People had sufficient to eat and drink. People were offered a choice of what they would like to eat and drink. People’s weights were monitored on a regular basis to ensure that people remained healthy.
People were supported to maintain their health and well-being. People had regular access to health and social care professionals.
Staff were trained and had sufficient skills and knowledge to support people effectively. There was a training programme in place to meet people’s needs. There was an induction programme in place which included staff undertaking the Care Certificate. Staff received regular supervision.
People were well cared for and positive relationships had been established between people and staff. Staff interacted with people in a kind and caring manner.
Relatives and health professionals were involved in planning peoples care. People’s choices and views were respected by staff. Staff and the registered manager knew people’s choices and preferences. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.
People received a personalised service. Care and support was person centred and this was reflected in their care plans. Care plans contained sufficient detail for staff to support people effectively. People were supported to develop their independence.
There were activities in place which people enjoyed. People were supported to increase their independence by staff supporting them in household tasks and attending activities outside such as college.
The home listened to staff and relative’s views. There was a complaints procedure in place. There had been no complaints since the last inspection. The registered manager supported people to make complaints when necessary.
The management promoted an open and person centred culture. Staff told us they felt supported by the manager. Relatives told us they felt that the management was approachable and responsive.
There were robust procedures in place to monitor, evaluate and improve the quality of care provided. Staff were motivated and aware of their responsibilities. The registered manager understood the requirements of CQC and sent in appropriate notifications.