The inspection took place on 1 November 2016. The provider was given 72 hours’ notice of our visit because we needed to be sure staff and people using the service would be available to meet with us. Highlands Road provides care and accommodation for up to three adults with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection the service was fully occupied. The bungalow provides three single bedrooms, one with en-suite facilities, a communal kitchen, bathroom, laundry, dining and lounge area and limited parking on the driveway. People also have access to a garden area.
The home had a registered manager in post. 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.
Staff had a good understanding of their role in safeguarding people. Incidents were being reported where appropriate and records seen confirmed this.
We found that policies and procedures were in place to guide staff in how to keep people safe in the event of emergencies, for example a fire or flood. Fire drills and fire alarm tests were carried out along with regular audits of emergency and contingency planning.
Medicines were stored safely and systems were in place to ensure medicine stock could be monitored and audited. People were given their medicines by staff who had received medicines training.
Risk assessments were carried out where necessary and care plans were devised to minimise known hazards, whilst encouraging people to be as independent as possible.
Staff training was well organised and on-going. Staff had completed training in accordance with the required needs of people living at the service.
Correct procedures were followed in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and staff worked within the guidelines and peoples best interests when depriving people of their liberty.
Staff followed the advice of other healthcare professionals and we saw evidence of joint working to achieve the best outcomes for people living at the service.
People told us they were involved in writing menus and food shopping. They also told us they enjoyed the food and were given support to cook.
People had a choice about the activities they wished to do and some were engaged in paid employment. Staff also supported people to find new interests and pursue activities they found meaningful. Information written in care plans reflected the needs and personalities of each individual.
People were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the care they received through their house meetings, an on line ‘yammer’ site owned by the provider and peer review sessions. We saw that were issues or suggestions were raised by people, these were responded to by the provider and staff.
Staff and people we spoke with told us that they had a positive relationship with the registered manager. Staff also told us they had regular supervision with the registered manager.
Some areas of the service were showing signs of wear and tear and the bathroom area would benefit from refurbishment.