We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Ridings on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about The Ridings, you can give feedback on this service.
The Ridings is a domestic style single storey detached house in keeping with the other houses in the area.
We found the following examples of good practice.
At the time of our visit the service was at the end of an outbreak of Covid-19 which had been effectively managed and contained to one person, who has recovered. Since the outbreak, everyone using the service had received their first Covid-19 vaccination.
The service was following correct infection prevention and control guidance and policy to protect people from infection and prevent the spread of infection.
National guidance was being followed on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). There was clear signage on instruction, direction and the correct use PPE and handwashing techniques. There was plentiful supply of PPE and staff had received training in infection prevention and control.
The registered manager was following the government's guidance on whole home testing for people and staff. This included weekly testing and rapid testing for staff and essential visitors, including healthcare professionals and people's relatives.
Alternative forms of maintaining social contact were used for relatives. For example, using video calls, weekly newsletters to family members, using a phone to communicate with and garden visits socially distanced in warmer weather.
The Ridings is a small scale care home located in a residential setting near community facilities. The service provides personal care and support for up to four people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of this inspection there were four people who used the service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People's experience of using this service and what we found People lived in a service that was safe. Staff understood how to raise concerns about people's safety. Risks to people were understood and there was clear guidance for staff about how to support people to reduce these. People were supported by enough staff who had been recruited safely.
People received their medicines safely from staff who had received the right training. Staff training was up to date and we saw staff used best practice when interacting with people. Communication with other agencies involved in people's care, helped promote consistency and best practice in how their needs were met.
People's needs were assessed holistically, and staff's in depth understanding of what was important to people had resulted in positive outcomes for people. People were supported to remain healthy and encouraged to eat a balanced diet.
The service had been designed and developed to meet people's preferences. Staff and the registered manager regularly reflected on any changes they could make to better meet people's needs.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were cared for by staff who valued them as individuals and took time to understand them. Staff were constantly developing ways to help ensure people's voice was heard and that staff responded in the way people wanted. People's records contained information about their preferred methods of communication and staff understood and used these. People appeared comfortable with the staff who were supporting them and happily communicated their views and opinions.
People's care plans detailed their needs and the support they required from staff. These were regularly updated as staff learned more about people and how to meet their needs.
People's views of the staff and service were sought regularly. Staff also had opportunity to influence how the service met people's needs. Checks and audits were regularly completed to help ensure the service continued to improve. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good (Inspection report published in August 2017)
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
The Ridings met all relevant fundamental standards and consistently delivered a service that was safe and good. The providers primary aim at The Ridings was to provide a family home environment, support people to increase their independence, maximise their potential and promote inclusion. The service continued to provide good care and support to people which was continually reviewed to ensure the best possible outcomes. Relatives and professionals were extremely complimentary about the service and what it provided.
There was a proactive approach to respecting people’s human rights and diversity and people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Management and staff had a positive attitude towards managing risk and keeping people safe. Potential risks of harm to the individual or others in their daily lives were assessed and identified. Detailed management strategies provided guidance for staff on what actions to take to minimise the risk and provide appropriate and individualised support. When people behaved in a way that may challenge others, staff managed the situation in a positive way in accordance with personalised positive behaviour support plans which protected people’s dignity and rights. They had a good understanding of how to protect people and were confident in the steps to take if they were concerned people were at risk of harm.
People received care and support from staff that had been carefully selected, supported and well trained. There were always enough competent staff on duty to ensure people were supported, able to participate in activities of their choice, access the community daily and respond to unforeseen events. Staff knew the people they cared for well and were kind, caring and compassionate in their approach.
Medicines were provided safely and when required. Staff carried out regular audits to ensure processes were reviewed and monitored for effectiveness.
The registered manager was very knowledgeable, inspired confidence in the staff team, and led by example. There were effective systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service and drive improvement.
Further information is in the detailed findings below
This inspection was unannounced and carried out on 11 March 2015.
The Ridings is a residential care home that provides personal care and support for up to five young adults who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were three people who used the service.
A registered manager was in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. As like registered providers they have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The service was last inspected on 8 October 2013 and at that time requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations were met.
People were protected from bullying, harassment, avoidable harm and potential abuse. This was done consistently so that people were safe whether they were in the service itself or out in the community. Management and staff had a positive attitude towards managing risk and keeping people safe. Potential risks of harm to the individual or others in their daily lives were assessed and identified. Detailed management strategies provided guidance for staff on what actions to take to minimise the risk and provide appropriate and individualised support to people that enabled them to participate in activities of their choice and access the community safely.
The provider had a thorough recruitment and selection process in place to check that staff were suitable to work with people who used the service. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff. Staffing levels were flexible and supported people to follow their interests and take part in social activities and, where appropriate, education.
Medication was stored safely and administered correctly. The provider had robust systems in place to ensure medication was managed safely and appropriately.
Staff had developed good relationships with people living at the service and respected their diverse needs. They were caring and respectful and had the required knowledge and skills they needed to meet people’s needs appropriately and safely. Staff knew each person’s individual care and support needs well. People’s privacy and dignity was respected and upheld and they were supported to express their views and choices by whatever means they were able to. Staff clearly understood each person’s way of communicating their needs and anxieties.
Management and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which meant they were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions in some areas of their care, treatment and support.
People had a choice of balanced, healthy and nutritious meals and were able to eat their meal where they wanted. Nutritional assessments were in place which identified what food and drink people needed to keep them well and what they liked to eat.
People received personalised care specific to their individual needs; their independence was encouraged and their hobbies and leisure interests were supported. They received continuing specialist help with an existing medical condition and had prompt access to healthcare professionals when they became unwell. Each person had a health action plan which detailed how they were being supported to manage and maintain their health.
The provider had arrangements in place to routinely listen and learn from people’s experiences, concerns and complaints. There was a strong emphasis on promoting good practice in the service and there was a well-developed understanding of equality, diversity and human rights and management and staff put these into practice. The registered manager was very knowledgeable and inspired confidence in the staff team, and led by example.
Quality assurance systems were robust and helped to ensure the service delivered was of a high quality and safe, and continued to improve.
We found that the service was safe as staff had attended training in infection control procedures and the premises were regularly checked for suitability and safety.
People told us they liked living at the service. One person showed us their room and was clearly proud of their personal space and of their learning achievements which were supported by the service. We saw that people were given the chance to develop and learn according to their wishes and abilities. People were cared for by staff trained to provide support appropriate to people's complex behavioural needs.
We saw that The Ridings provided a relaxed and homely environment for people. Staff were friendly and respectful in their approach and interacted with people using the service in a confident and considerate manner. During the course of our visit we saw that people were supported to express their views and choices by whatever means they were able to and staff clearly understood each person's way of communicating their needs. Staff looked after people's healthcare needs in a proactive way.
The staff team were well trained and supported to carry out their role. The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of service that people receive.
People told us that the care and support provided to them or their relatives at The Ridings was very good. A person using the service told us that staff provided support such as with personal care or with going to the doctor or making decisions about buying things. They said that staff were helping them to look for a job.
All the people we spoke with told us that people's right to make choices was respected at The Ridings and that they felt that they, or their relative, was safe there. They told us that people using the service were well cared for. One relative told us the person using the service was 'very well looked after.' Another relative told us that the care provided at The Ridings is 'very good' and that the person using the service 'is certainly very happy there.'
People felt that staff kept them involved and supported people to maintain family ties and relationships. A relative said that staff 'put themselves out' to support opportunities for them to meet with the person using the service so that relationships could be maintained.
People told us they were satisfied with the quality of the service provided at The Ridings and that they would feel able to raise any concerns that might arise with the manager and staff. One relative told us 'I am very satisfied with the quality at The Ridings, the staff and (the owner) are very approachable and ask for my views and ideas. They listen to what you say. I cannot find any fault with the service.' Another relative said, 'I am happy with the quality of the service, it is very good. You can chat to them and I would feel able to raise any issues. I did talk to them about something and they listened and changed it.'