27 December 2017
During a routine inspection
We gave the service two working days’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
This inspection took place on 27 December 2017.
This was our first inspection of the service since it registered with us on 20 October 2016. However, the service was registered with us at a different location previously and we rated the service Good in all five key questions we ask of service during our comprehensive inspections, in March 2015.
There was a registered manager in post 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 in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The provider went the extra mile in reducing social isolation for people. The provider set up a weekly social club for people with learning disabilities. The provider put on a Christmas meal for people who would otherwise spend the day alone to come together and celebrate.
People were supported to achieve their dreams. The provider supported a person to gain employment in the company of their choice and supported other people to actively pursue hobbies such as singing and acting. The provider supported a couple to celebrate who recently became engaged at the supported housing scheme.
People were supported to do activities they were interested in. The provider spent much time planning activities based on people’s interests and people had individual activity programmes in place. The provider organised regular trips to view popular TV shows being filmed, theatre shows, holidays and so forth to provide them with a wide variety of choice as to how they spent their days.
People were safeguarded from abuse and neglect because the provider trained staff to understood abuse and their responsibility to protect people.
The provider identified, assessed and managed risks relating to people’s care well. The provider also managed risks relating to a person’s behaviour which challenged the service well.
The provider carried out recruitment checks on staff to ensure they were suitable to support people. There were enough staff deployed to support people safely. The provider managed people’s medicines safely and supported some people to manage their medicines themselves to help build their independence.
People received care in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to this Act. The provider liaised with the local authority regarding an application to deprive a person of their liberty as part of keeping them safe.
People’s needs and preferences were assessed by the provider and people and their relatives were involved in the process.
Staff knew the people they supported well and understood the best ways to interact with and care for them. People were supported to live healthier lives and people received the necessary support in relation to eating and drinking.
The provider supported staff with training, supervision and annual appraisal.
The provider worked well with external organisations in providing joined-up care to people.
Staff were caring and supported people with dignity and respect. Staff understood people’s need for privacy. People were supported to maintain relationships with those who were important to them.
People were supported to be as independent as they wanted to be. The provider supported people to set up a committee to run the weekly social club. People campaigned each quarter to take on a new role on the committee and roles were decided through an election process.
People’s care plans were accurate and sufficiently detailed to provide information for staff to follow in caring for people.
The provider had systems to monitor, assess and improve the service which included gathering feedback from people about their care. The provider communicated openly with people and staff. The provider had a complaints procedure to investigate and respond to any complaints.
The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of their role and responsibilities. The provider had a clear vision regarding the purpose of the company, to make a difference to people’s lives and make them more meaningful and enjoyable, and this vision was shared by staff.