We carried out our inspection visit on 10 June 2016. The inspection was unannounced. Heathcotes Kirby Muxloe provides accommodation for up to six adults who require personal care and support. People who use the service live with autistic spectrum disorder or mental health and/or learning disability.
The service 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were safe at Heathcotes Kirby Muxloe. This was because the service has systems in place to assess and manage risks to people’s care and support. Staff understood and promptly responded to any concerns that they had about people’s welfare. They used the provider’s safeguarding protocols to report any concerns.
People received their medicines as prescribed by their doctor. Their medicines were stored and administered in a safe manner.
The registered manager had robust recruitment protocols to ensure that only staff that had the right skills and attitudes was employed. They completed the required pre-employment checks that they were safe to work with people.
Staff had the skills they needed to provide an effective and person centred service. They maintained links and sought information from specialist organisations which support them to understand the specific needs of people that used the service, and provide the support that met those needs.
Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and its relevance in their role. They applied this when they supported people and provided the relevant support that people required to make decisions about their care.
People nutritional needs were met in a way that suited their individual needs and preference. They chose from a varied menu and were supported to follow a healthy life style. Staff promptly responded to their health needs and supported them to access health professionals and monitor their health and well-being.
Staff were very kind and compassionate to people. They demonstrated an interest in the people who they support. They ensured that they were involved in decisions about their care. They provided support in a way that promoted people’s independence and help them develop and maintain skills that allowed them to be as independent as possible. People felt that they mattered. They had a core team of staff who were readily available to promote their welfare.
The needs of the people were central to every activity within the service. People’s care was tailored to their individual needs. Staff provided support in a flexible manner that responded to any changes that people had. They also liaised with other professionals to ensure that people’s support from them was delivered in a manner that met the person’s specific needs. People’s relatives told us that people had achieved many positive outcomes as a result of the responsiveness of the support that they received.
People were a part of their local community. They maintained good relationships with their neighbours.
The registered manager encouraged people and their relatives to provide feedback about the service they received. They dealt with any concerns raised promptly and communicated their response in a manner that was relevant to the recipient.
People, staff, relatives and other professional were highly complimentary of the registered manager. They had good experiences of communication with the manager and felt confident to approach her for support. The registered manager demonstrated a clear passion and understanding of the role, and developed a culture that promoted and enabled people to live an independent life where they were respected and their needs were met in a way that suited them.