The inspection took place on 23 June 2015 and was unannounced. Our last scheduled inspection at this service took place in April 2014 when one breach of legal a requirement was identified. This was in relation to medicine management. The provider sent us an action plan and we completed a follow up inspection to check actions had been completed. This took place in September 2014 and the service was meeting requirements.
Wilton House – Steps Residential Care provides residential care for up to 26 adults with learning disabilities. The service comprises of three houses and two bungalows on the same site. The local park can be accessed from the rear of the properties by a garden gate. The service is situated in the Kimberworth area of Rotherham, with some local facilities such as shops and pubs nearby. It is within easy access to Rotherham town centre.
The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.
We spoke with staff who had a clear understanding of safeguarding adults and what action they would take if they suspected abuse. Staff we spoke with were confident the manager would act appropriately to safeguard people from abuse. Posters were displayed around the service with contacts for the local council safeguarding team.
Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people were safe. The support plans we looked at included risk assessments which identified any risk associated with
people’s care. We saw risk assessments had been devised to help minimise and monitor the risk.
We spoke with staff and people who used the service and found there were enough staff with the right skills, knowledge and experience to meet people’s needs. This was flexible to support the activities and interest’s people took part in.
People were supported to have their assessed needs, preferences and choices met by staff who had the necessary skills and knowledge. Staff we spoke with told us they received appropriate training which made them confident to do their job.
We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The staff we spoke with had some knowledge of this and said they would speak to the registered manager for further advice.
People were involved in menu planning, shopping and meal preparation. We saw snacks were available throughout the day and people had access to drinks as they wanted them.
People were supported to maintain good health, have access to healthcare services and received on-going healthcare support. We looked at people’s records and found they had received support from healthcare professionals when required.
People who used the service were supported to maintain friendships. Support plans contained information about their family and friends and those who were important to them.
We saw staff were aware of people’s needs and the best ways to support them, whilst maintaining their independence.
People’s needs were assessed and care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual support plan. The support plans were person centred and some contained pictures to assist the person to understand their plan. Support plans included information about healthcare, communication, personal hygiene, mobility and activities.
The service had a complaints procedure and people knew how to raise concerns.
Staff we spoke with felt the service was well led and the registered manager was approachable and listened to them. Staff confirmed they knew their role within the organisation and the role of others. They knew what was expected of them and took accountability at their level.