We carried out a review of the data available to us about 56 Stone Lane on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about 56 Stone Lane, you can give feedback on this service.
56 Stone Lane is a converted residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to three people with a learning disability. The service can support up to three people and is based in a residential area of Worthing, West Sussex.
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 and physical 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 were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People appeared happy and relatives told us they were pleased with the care and support received. A relative told us, “I’m very happy with the care they give, [my relative] absolutely loves the staff and being there”. Staff were friendly and attentive to people’s needs and our observations showed there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were trained and felt supported.
People felt safe and staff were aware of how to promote people’s safety. Regular checks were in place to ensure staff worked in accordance with training and health and safety guidance adhered to.
The environment had plenty of communal space for people to enjoy. People enjoyed the activities that were provided, staff told us there were many opportunities for people to go out and people were living fuller lives. A relative told us, “There’s things they’ve supported [my relative] with like using public transport. I didn’t think that would ever be possible”.
People were involved in planning their care and their views and preferences were acted upon. Feedback about the registered manager and staff team was positive. There was an open culture in the service and an expectation that people were supported in a person-centred way. Staff were clear about their roles and the management team engaged well with the team and other agencies.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The last rating for this service was Good (published 14 June 2017). At this inspection the service has remained rated as Good.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
56 Stone Lane is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to three people with a learning disability and/or complex needs. The home is a detached, chalet bungalow and is situated in a residential area, with good transport links to Worthing town centre. Communal areas include a kitchen, dining room with adjacent conservatory, sitting room and quiet room. All rooms are of single occupancy and have en-suite facilities. People have access to a large rear garden and patio area.
A registered manager was 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 lived safely at 56 Stone Lane. Staff had been trained to recognise the signs of potential abuse and knew what action to take if they had any concerns relating to people’s welfare. People’s risks were identified, assessed and managed safely. Risk assessments provided clear guidance to staff on how to support people. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs, when they were at home or out in the community. Safe recruitment practices were in place. Medicines were managed safely.
Staff had completed training in a range of areas considered essential to enable them to carry out their job effectively. New staff studied for the Care Certificate, a universally recognised qualification. Staff were encouraged to study for qualifications, including diplomas in health and social care. Staff had also been trained in communication techniques, including Makaton and Picture Exchange Communication System, to enable them to communicate with people who had little or no verbal communication. Staff received supervision every two months and staff meetings were organised. Consent to care and treatment was sought in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated legislation. Staff had been trained in this area and understood their responsibilities. People had sufficient to eat and drink and had ready access to a range of healthcare professionals and services.
People were supported by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People were treated as equals and they were encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their care. They were treated with dignity and respect.
Care plans provided detailed advice and guidance to staff on people’s care and support needs. Short and long-term goals were in place for people to strive for and staff supported them in achieving their goals. Activities were structured in a way that reflected people’s choices. A complaints policy was in place. No complaints had been recorded since the service opened in 2016.
The service was well led and staff felt supported by management. People were involved in developing the service and their views were sought through residents’ meetings and questionnaires. A range of systems was in place to measure and monitor the quality of care delivered and the service overall.