Archived: The Thomas More Project - 97 Cromwell Road

We met with three of the four people living in the home and the member of staff that was on duty supporting them. We looked at records to enable us to make a judgment on how the service had improved since our last visit.

People had a structured timetable of activities. Some people went to day centres and/or to college five days a week. One person had three days of structured activities and the other two days the individual chose how to spend their time with staff support. People were involved in decisions about how they wanted to spend their time, what to wear, what to eat, what activities they would like to participate in, including annual holidays.

People told us they could go to the local shops and that they went on trips to places of interest and meals out. A person told us that activities were organised in the evenings including a club for people with a learning disability. One person told us they had recently been to the pub to play pool with staff.

People told us they had access to their care plan if they wanted to have a look. People's views were sought during reviews and recorded. Staff told us that people were asked regularly about how they wanted to be supported. We saw that relatives had been involved where relevant in the reviews of care and gaining information in respect of the person's end of life wishes.

People were registered with a doctor and access to other health professionals including the dentist, optician and the community learning disability team.

People told us they were involved in the weekly shopping, preparing and the cooking of the meals. Information was included in the plans of care on the involvement of individuals.

People told us they could access the kitchen to make snacks and drinks.

People told us they had regular house meetings where they could raise any concerns. They told us they were asked their opinions on activities, food and d'cor of the home. We were told the manager would tell people about any staff changes during the meeting.

People were asked their views through an annual survey. The manager told us that they asked either a relative or a person at their day care placement to assist people so that the information was recorded independently from the home.

People were not protected against the risks associated with medicines because the way the home was recording medication. This could potentially put people at risk.

People told us they felt safe in their home and they liked living there. People told us they had keys to their bedroom and that following an assessment, they may be given a front door key.

A person told us that if they were unhappy they would tell the staff or the manager. They also said they would talk to a relative.

People told us they liked the food that was provided and there was always sufficient quantities. People told us they were involved in the shopping and preparation of the meals.

We have asked the provider to for an action plan on how they were meeting the nutritional needs of people to ensure people had access to a healthy and balanced diet.

People told us that recently new staff had been employed and this meant they could go out more.

People confirmed they were asked how they wanted to spend their time including planning college courses. They told us during the visit that they were involved in day to day activities in the home including shopping, cooking and household chores. People had a structured timetable of activities. Some people went to day centres and college five days a week. People told us they could go to the local shops, they went on trips to places of interest and meals out. They also told us they were supported to go to church.

Staff told us that people were encouraged lead active and independent lifestyles and people were encouraged to be as independent as possible. People confirmed how they were involved and how staff encouraged them to be independent. This included going out on their own and looking after their medication.

When we spoke with individuals in the home they told us the staff treated them well and they liked living in 97 Cromwell Road. Responses included 'I have lived here a long while, I like the staff and the other people who live here'.