Archived: Dimensions 36 Harvey Road

The home provides care and accommodation for up to five people with learning disabilities. It is located in the Whitton area.

At the time of our inspection the home 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection in January 2015 the home met all the key questions and was rated good in each with an overall good rating.

Due to people using the service having limited verbal communication relatives generally spoke on their behalf. Relatives said that people enjoyed living at Harvey Road and the way that staff treated and supported them. People were enabled to choose their own activities, when they wished to do them and there was a variety of home and community based activities available. People were safe living at the home and using amenities within the local community. When we visited there was a welcoming, warm, and friendly atmosphere with people using the service coming from and going to activities. There was positive interaction between people using the service and staff throughout our visit.

The records were accessible, up to date and covered all aspects of the care and support people received. This included their choices, activities and safety. People’s care plans were complete and the information contained was regularly reviewed. This enabled staff to perform their duties efficiently and professionally. Where possible people and their relatives were encouraged to discuss health needs with staff and had access to GP’s and other community based health professionals, as required. Staff supported people to choose healthy meal options and maintain balanced diets whilst meeting their likes, dislikes and preferences. This enabled them to be protected from nutrition and hydration associated risks. Relatives told us and our observations showed that people liked the choice and quality of their meals.

People knew the staff that supported them well and the staff were very familiar with people, their likes, dislikes and preferences. They were well supported and enjoyed the way staff delivered their care. Skilled staff provided care and support in a professional, friendly way that focussed on people as individuals. The staff were well trained and accessible to people using the service. Staff said they liked working at the home and had received good training and support from the manager.

Relatives said the management team was approachable, responsive and listened to them. The quality of the service provided was consistently monitored and assessed.

One person did tell us they were "Doing their beads" and was engrossed in the task of threading beads and was enjoying themselves.

We saw that people were treated with dignity and respect during our visit.

They were supported to make decisions and their opinions sought in a relaxed, unhurried, friendly way using a tactile approach that people responded to.

Wherever possible verbal communication was used on a level that people could understand. One person indicated what they wanted by either pointing or pointing with the hand of a member of staff.

The records we saw including person centred support plans were up to date, well kept and easy to follow.

The home was clean, tidy, well maintained and fit for purpose.

There was a complaints policy and procedure that was easy for people to understand and access.

There were suitable supervision and review arrangements that enabled staff to give good quality, competent, care and support.