This inspection took place on 7 and 8 March 2016 and was unannounced. We last inspected the service in February 2014. At that inspection we found the service was compliant with all essential standards we inspected.Staverton is a care home without nursing that provides a service to up to 14 people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder. The accommodation is arranged over three floors. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people living in the home.
The service had a registered manager as required. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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. The registered manager was present and assisted us during this inspection.
People told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse, and were supported to do so.
People told us staff were available when they needed them and staff knew how they liked things done. Staffing levels and skill mixes were planned, implemented and reviewed to ensure there were enough staff to meet people's needs.
People told us they were encouraged to do things for themselves and staff helped them to be as independent as they could be. Risk assessments were person-centred, proportionate and reviewed. Staff recognised and responded to changes in risks to people who use the service. There were contingency plans in place to respond to emergencies.
People received effective personal care and support from staff who knew them well and were well trained and supervised. People received support that was individualised to their personal preferences and needs. Their needs were monitored and care plans formally reviewed annually or as changes occurred.
People received effective healthcare. People saw their GP and other health professionals, such as dentists and chiropodists, when needed. Medicines were stored and handled correctly and safely. Meals were nutritious and varied and people told us they enjoyed the food at the service.
People's rights to make their own decisions, where possible, were protected and staff were aware of their responsibilities to ensure those rights were promoted.
People were treated with care and kindness. During our inspection the atmosphere at the service was calm and happy. People were busy going about their daily lives with staff support, where needed, to assist them getting to their place of work or day time activities. People's wellbeing was protected and all interactions observed between staff and people living at the service were respectful and friendly. People confirmed staff respected their privacy and dignity.
People benefitted from living at a service that had an open and friendly culture. People felt staff were happy working at the service and had a good relationship with them, each other and the management. Staff told us the management was open with them and communicated what was happening at the service and with the people living there. People told us they felt the service was managed well and that they could approach management and staff with any concerns.