2 June 2014
During a routine inspection
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our discussions with two of the families using the service ,three care staff supporting them, the head of disability services and two senior care staff. We looked at one persons care record and the provider's management and quality records. If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Families who used the service told us that they felt their relatives were safe. One person told us, "There are no worries about safety with this provider". Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff understood their role in safeguarding the people they supported. Staff were aware of the provider's whistleblowing policy.
People's independence, rights and choices were protected because the provider had procedures in place to gain people's consent to the care and support they received.
Staff knew about risk management plans and we saw that they supported people in line with those plans. We found that the provider worked well with other services to ensure that people's health and welfare was protected. This meant that people were supported with their care needs in a way that was intended to ensure their safety and well being.
Systems were in place to make sure that the manager and staff learned from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints and checks made on the service. This reduced the risk to people and helped the service to continually improve.
We found the provider kept accurate records for people and that they were kept securely to ensure that people's confidentiality was maintained.
Is the service effective?
People's care needs were assessed with them. All of the people we spoke with told us they were involved in their care planning and reviews of care. We saw that care plans were regularly updated.
Where people had complex needs that required the input of specialist health care services, assessments had been made by the appropriate professionals. Their recommendations were carried out by the staff. This meant the provider worked well with other services to ensure people's health care needs were met.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by staff that were kind and caring. One relative told us, "The manager and the staff are very kind".
People's preferences, interests and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support was provided in accordance with people's wishes.
Is the service responsive?
People were asked their views about the service and the provider acted on comments and suggestions that people made.
Where care staff had noticed people's changing needs, their care plans were updated to reflect this. This was because staff discussed people's care needs with them on a regular basis. People told us staff would always do their best to make sure they were happy.
Is the service well led?
The provider had quality assurance and risk management systems in place. We found the provider checked that risks were managed effectively.
The provider sought the views of people who used the service. Records seen by us indicated that shortfalls in the service were addressed promptly.
Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities and understood the quality assurance and risk management systems. This helped to ensure that people received a good quality of care. Staff told us the service was well organised and they felt supported by the provider.