Archived: Royal Mencap Society - 55-56 Benyon Grove

Updated 7 April 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced comprehensive inspection was carried out by one inspector and took place on 09 March 2017. The registered manager was given 24 hours’ notice because the service was a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

We reviewed previous inspection reports and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We also looked at information we held about the service.

The provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the information to assist us with our planning of the inspection.

We spent time observing the care provided by staff to help us understand the experiences of people unable to tell us their views directly. This was because people had learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder.

We looked at records in relation to two people’s care. We spoke with the registered manager, and two care staff. We looked at records relating to the management of risk, minutes of meetings, staff recruitment and training and systems for monitoring the quality of the service.

Updated 7 April 2017

Royal Mencap Society 55-56 Benyon Grove is a residential care home for eight people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. 55-56 Benyon Grove are two bungalows with a shared garden. At the time of our inspection seven people were living at the service.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection on 9 March 2017 we found the service remained Good.

People were cared for by staff who provided care and support that ensured people's safety and welfare. People were cared for by staff who had been recruited and employed only after appropriate checks had been completed. People's needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff.

Medication was dispensed by staff who had received training and their competency had been checked.

People are supported to have as much choice and control of their lives as possible. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received appropriate training to support and meet people’s needs. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet with suitable food and fluid. People were referred to any health professionals when required.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and caring. Staff had a good understanding of people's preferences in areas of their care and welfare. People were supported to be as independent as possible.

People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. People were encouraged and supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The registered manager responded to and investigated complaints received.

There were systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the service and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.