12 June 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on the 12 June 2015. We gave 24 hours notice that we would be visiting to ensure people and staff would be available to speak with us.
Kettlewell Way provides care and accommodation for up to three people with a diagnosis of a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our visit there were two men living in the home.
There was a registered manager 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.
2 Kettlewell Way provided a home environment where people were enabled to lead independent lives and make their own decisions for their everyday living. People appeared settled and happy and were supported to take part in a range of activities of their choice. People were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.
There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs both inside the home and outside in the community. Staff had a good and detailed understanding of people’s needs and the level of support they required to keep them safe.
Staff understood their responsibility to report any concerns they had about people’s wellbeing in accordance with the provider’s safeguarding procedure.
Medicines were stored and managed safely. Staff received training and they were regularly assessed to ensure they were competent to give people their medicines.
Staff received an induction to the service so they had a good understanding of the individual needs of people before working alone. They also received training in all areas considered essential for meeting the needs of people in a care environment safely and effectively.
The provider and registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure people were looked after in a way that did not inappropriately restrict their freedom. The provider had made applications to the local authority in accordance with the DoLS.
People’s mental health needs were cared for as well as their physical care needs and they were supported to see a range of external healthcare professionals. Information was shared during handover so all staff were aware of changes in people’s health.
People’s care plans contained information about their personal preferences and focussed on individual needs. Staff kept very detailed daily diaries which provided information staff could use when assessing people’s care needs.
There was a strong and stable management team in place who took time to know and understand the needs of the people who lived at the home. There were systems in place so people who lived in the home could share their views about how the home was run.