Our inspection was unannounced and took place on 16 February 2016. The provider is registered to accommodate and deliver personal care to six people. Six people lived at the home at the time of our inspection. People lived with a profound hearing and visual impairment and also had a varied range of other needsincluding those related to a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder, or mental health needs.
At our last inspection of August 2014 the provider was meeting all of the regulations that we assessed.
The manager was registered with us as is required by law. 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.
Some changes and more diligence was needed to enhance medicine safety to ensure people’s health and wellbeing.
The heating in the home was in need of remedial work to ensure that it worked consistently to prevent any risk of ill health due to low temperatures.
Staff received induction and the day to day support they needed to equip them with the knowledge and direction to undertake their job roles. Staff had received the training they required to equip them with the skills they needed to communicate with, and support, the people in their care.
Staff knew the procedures they should follow to ensure the risk of harm and/or abuse was reduced. Recruitment processes ensured that unsuitable staff were not employed.
Staff were available to keep people safe and there were enough staff to allow care and support to be provided flexibly and to consistently meet all people’s needs. People were supported by staff who were kind and caring.
Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This ensured that people received care in line with their best interests and would not be unlawfully restricted.
People were encouraged to make decisions about their care. If they were unable to their relatives were involved in how their care was planned and delivered.
Staff supported people with their nutrition and dietary needs to promote their good health.
All people received assessments and/or treatment when it was needed from a range of health care and social care professionals which helped to promote their health and well-being.
Systems were in place for people and their relatives to raise their concerns or complaints.
Relatives and staff felt that the quality of service was good. The registered manager and provider undertook regular audits to determine shortfalls or to see if changes or improvements were needed.