Support for Living Limited - 1 St Quintin Avenue

1 St Quintin Avenue is a care home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six adults with a learning disability or an autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of this inspection there were five adults living at the service. The accommodation comprises a communal lounge, kitchen and separate dining area, a laundry room, communal bathrooms and toilets and a garden area with seating. Bedrooms do not have en-suite facilities.

People’s experience of using this service:

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 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 and their relatives were involved in the planning of their care. Improvements were required to ensure all care documentation was reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Staff supported people to access appropriate healthcare services. However, recommendations from healthcare professionals were not always being transferred into daily practice.

People were safe from harm because risks to people's health and wellbeing were assessed, mitigated and reviewed appropriately.

Staff had a good understanding of people's preferences and promoted people's freedom and independence.

People trusted the staff working with them and staff supported people in a kind and caring manner.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a healthy balanced diet.

People were supported to follow their interests and participate in leisure and social activities.

The environment was well maintained and met people’s needs appropriately.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided and make improvements where needed.

The previous inspection rating was displayed in line with CQC requirements.

Rating at last inspection and update:

The last rating for this service was good (report published 31 March 2017).

Why we inspected:

This inspection was part of a scheduled plan based on our last rating of the service.

Support for Living – 1 St Quintin Avenue provides care and support for up to seven people living with learning and physical disabilities. At the time of this inspection the service was providing support to five adults.

The service had a registered manager 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’s written risk assessments covered a range of issues including road safety, exploitation and abuse from others, self-neglect and financial management. Risk assessments had been reviewed in line with the provider’s policies and procedures.

Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals as required to meet people’s needs. Medicines were managed and administered safely.

Where appropriate, people were involved in decisions about their care and how their needs would be met. People were supported to eat and drink according to their individual preferences.

People were protected from the risk of potential abuse because the provider operated systems for recording these matters and notified the CQC about serious incidents and/or potential safeguarding matters.

Staff developed caring relationships with people using the service and people were being supported to maintain their hobbies and interests and treated people with kindness, compassion, patience and respect.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place and were being followed to ensure suitable staff were employed by the service. Staff received the appropriate training to equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their duties effectively and with confidence and demonstrated a good understanding of people’s individual needs and wishes and how to meet them.

The home was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report upon our findings. DoLS are in place to protect people where they do not have capacity to make decisions and where it is regarded as necessary to restrict their freedom in some way, to protect themselves or others. The registered manager understood when a DoLS application should be made and how to submit one.

Monthly and weekly audits were carried out across various aspects of the service; these included the administration of medicines, care records and health and safety checks.

People's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual support plan.

Policies and procedures were in place for to guide staff in ensuring people's safety and well-being.

Staff received training which equipped them with the skills and knowledge to care for people. Staff told us they were well supported by the provider for training and advice relevant to their roles.

Systems were in place for the provider to assess and monitor the safety of the premises and the standard of the service. For example, health and safety checks were carried out. Staff held a quarterly customer forum where people and their families could discuss the service and contribute ideas.