Archived: Wargrave House LEAP

Wargrave house (LEAP) is purpose-built residential accommodation on the site of Wargrave school and college. The service accommodates up to 6 young adults between the ages of 19 and 25 years who are living with autism and attend the college that is also run by the registered provider. On the day of our inspection there were five people staying at the service. Each person stayed for between one and four days each week.

There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and to report on what we found. At our last inspection we found the registered provider was not fully following the requirements of the MCA. At this inspection records showed the registered provider had ensured all appropriate documentation was in place that included capacity assessments. The registered provider had policies and guidance available to staff in relation to the MCA. Staff demonstrated an understanding of this and had all completed training.

Systems in place for the recruitment of staff were robust and this ensured that only suitable staff were employed to work with the vulnerable people supported. Records showed that all staff had completed an induction at the start of their employment and also undertaken shadow shifts. All staff had completed mandatory training as well as additional training specific to their role. Staff were supported by the management team through regular supervision and team meetings. This meant that people were supported by staff that had the right skills and knowledge for the role.

The registered provider had safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Staff had all received training and demonstrated a good understanding of this topic.

A thorough assessment of people's needs was completed prior to them accessing the service. Individual care plans and risk assessments were in place and included 'What is important' and 'My health passport' documents. People and their chosen relative's had participated in the preparation of their person centred care plans.

People knew the staff that supported them by name and had developed positive relationships. Staff treated people with kindness and were caring in their manner.

People undertook activities of their choice. Feed back was sought from people on each day of their stay at the service. Annual feedback questionnaires were sent to relatives and positive feedback had been received.

Dietary needs were fully assessed and clear guidance and documentation was in place for the management of this. Relatives told us people's dietary needs were met.

The registered provider had documents available in accessible formats that included easy read and pictorial.

There was a clear complaints policy and procedure in place that was accessible to all people and their relatives.

The registered provider had up to date policies and procedures in place that were reviewed regularly.

We also contacted three families for their input and opinions as to the service delivery. Families told us they are kept involved and they were 'very happy' with the support their relatives received. They told us staff were 'really skilled 'at making sure that they met their relative's needs. They told us they could not 'fault' the service. One relative told us 'No one could possibly provide anything anywhere near as good. They could not look after [name of person] any better they are so good [name of person] has developed a lot of skills.'

The service had opportunities to promote the independence of people using the service and involve them in the care that they received. People were supported to develop independence skills by the use of care, medical and support plans. Support plans were written in a picture format to assist in meeting the needs of people.

The building was adapted to meet the needs of people living in the service and was decorated in a domestic manner. There were signs and notices in picture format on doors as an example, that helped people who lived in the service maintain their independence.

People's relatives were very enthusiastic about the support being provided. They told us that the home was 'brilliant' and 'absolutely flawless'. They told us that they were kept completely up to date with information about care and medical needs. One relative informed us of the extra efforts the staff and manager had made when their relative was unwell. Relatives also told us that they were sure that their relatives were safe. Another told us 'there are a lot of staff so they are always able to keep an eye on as to what's going on and know where they are. Often there is one member of staff to each person. I know that they have been out and about even if that's just to the shops and I am assured that staff know what to do. Safety seems to always be of paramount concern'.

We saw that people were supported and encouraged to have their say about the quality of the service. Records and discussions showed that people's views were listened to and actioned to influence the quality of the service.