Archived: Dimensions 7 Wychwood Close

Updated 27 February 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

An inspector carried out an unannounced inspection on 6 and 8 October 2014.

Before the inspection we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is information given to us by the provider to enable us to ensure we are addressing potential areas of concern and any good practice. The registered manager provided all information requested within the specified timescale. We also looked at other information that we held about this service.

During this inspection we looked at the care provided to the two people living at the home. We spoke with one person. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk to us. We spoke with the registered manager and two support workers. We looked at two care plans, four staff records including staff training records, staff duty rosters and records relating to management of the service.

Following our visit we received feedback from two social care professionals from the community learning and disabilities team who were involved in the care of people living at the service.

Updated 27 February 2015

Dimension 7 Wychwood Close is registered to provide accommodation and support for three people with learning disabilities or who may have autism spectrum. On the day of our visit there were two people living in the service. During this inspection we looked at the care provided to people living at the home.

This was an unannounced inspection on 6 and 8 October 2014.

The registered manager had been registered since January 2014. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe and report allegations of abuse. However, we found there were some areas that had the potential of placing people at risk of harm. Documents did not always record actions taken when injuries were found. There were sufficient staff to provide care and support to people who used the service. Risk assessments were put in place to manage identified risks and were regularly reviewed. Staff were appropriately trained to handle, administer and keep medicines secure.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and obtained consent before carrying out care and support. This was observed during our visit. Care plans evidenced how people were involved in making decisions about the care and support they received. We found the service met the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

An observation of the weekly menu planning meeting showed people were involved and actively encouraged with the use of pictorial cards showing different meals, to choose what they wanted to eat. Throughout the inspection people were offered drinks but were also supported to prepare drinks for themselves.

Health action plans recorded appointments people had with health and social care professionals such as general practitioners (GP), opticians, dentists and the outcomes. Dates for yearly reviews with GPs and other health professionals were also noted on a yearly planner.

At the time of our inspection the home was not providing end of life care. However, the registered manager told us they had been providing end of life care to one person who passed away a few months ago. We received positive feedback from social care professionals, who told us staff were thoughtful and dealt with people sensitively.

Staff were updated on relevant changes in practices and procedures and signed to confirm they had read and understood the changes made.

We found a breach of Regulation 20 (1) (a) Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.