This inspection took place on 16 January 2016 and was unannounced. The last inspection took place on 15 January 2014. This was a follow up inspection from the 30 September 2013 inspection at which time a breach of legal requirements were found in relation to records. The follow up inspection in January 2014 found the service to be compliant at that time.
82 Park Street provides care and accommodation for up to five people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were four people using the service.
There was a registered manager in place at the home. 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.
The service was safe in most aspects; however more needed to be done to ensure that the risks associated with medicine stock documentation and auditing were minimised. Safe procedures and a policy was in place to guide staff to manage people’s medicines safely. Staff received training to guide them in best practice procedures.
People told us they felt safe and were well cared for by staff. Comments included “I have been here years. I am very happy and safe”.
On the day of our inspection sufficient numbers of staff were available to support people’s individual needs safely. This was observed throughout the inspection and included the lunchtime meal activity. Some staff told us the service was experiencing staff shortages that sometimes could put pressure on the service and its staff. The staffing issues were confirmed by the registered manager who said they and other senior staff had been working weekends and extra hours to support any shortfalls. We saw people were supported with their nutritional needs in line with their assessed needs.
People’s rights were protected in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People’s capacity was considered in decisions being made about their care and support and best interest decisions were made when necessary.
People’s records demonstrated their involvement in their support planning and decision making processes. People we spoke with confirmed their involvement in the process and how staff respected their wishes. People had choice about their daily activities this was confirmed by documentation that we viewed and one person who was able to tell us of their experience.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring in their approach and were treated with dignity and respect. This was confirmed by the observations we made during our inspection.
People had support plans and risk assessments in place that were representative of people’s current needs and gave detailed guidance for staff to follow. Staff understood people’s individual needs and preferences which meant that they received care in accordance with their wishes.
The provider had ensured that staff had the knowledge and skills they needed to carry out their roles effectively. Training was provided and staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about people’s needs.
Staff we spoke with felt the service was well led and the registered manager ensured an open and transparent culture within the service. Staff meetings took place on a regular basis. Minutes were taken and any actions required were recorded. A detailed system was in place to monitor the quality of the service that people received. This included a system to manage people’s complaints.