28 December 2017
During a routine inspection
The service had a registered manager. 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.
Valley Road accommodates five people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder and other associated mental health conditions in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection one person was on holiday, and one person declined to talk with us.
Relatives were happy with the care provided. They felt their family members received safe care from staff members who were supported by the registered manager.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People had care plans in place which provided detailed guidance to staff on the support people required.
People had access to other health professionals and were supported to take their medicines. Safe medicine practices were promoted.
Systems were in place to safeguard people. People were provided with the information and opportunities to raise concerns. Risks to people were identified and managed.
Staff were kind, caring and had a positive relationship with people and had a good understanding of people’s needs.
People received sufficient food and drink they required. Care records contained information about people’s food likes and dislikes, preferences and their ability to prepare their own meals independently or with support.
The home had a number of staff vacancies which they were attempting to recruit into. The required staffing levels were maintained and regular agency staff were used to cover shifts to promote continuity of care for people.
The home was clean and suitably maintained. Systems were in place to ensure equipment was safe to use and that infection control risks were minimised.
Staff were suitably recruited, inducted and trained to fulfil their roles. They received support from the registered manager and one to one supervision meetings however some staff felt at times the registered manager did not listen to them.