Archived: Dimensions 8 Ridgmont Road

The manager said that the home was earmarked for closure and that they had been actively looking at other suitable accommodation to move the people into.

This is a summary of what we found:

On the day of our inspection there were two people using the service. Due to their learning disability, people were unable to communicate fully with us. One person was able to express using sign language to express their satisfaction with the care and support they received.

Is the service safe?

We found that people's care needs had been assessed and met appropriately to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Risk assessments had been carried out and their health had been monitored to ensure they maintained their wellbeing.

We noted from the duty rotas that there were sufficient numbers of staff rostered on duty to meet the needs of people. The staff members we spoke with said that the use of regular agency staff provided cover for staff shortage and maintained the continuity of care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Applications had been submitted for both people under this system.

Is the service effective?

We noted from the care plans we had looked at that people’s needs had been met. People had access to other health care professionals when needed. Staff had received relevant training, regular formal supervision and appraisals so that they were competent in their roles.

Is the service caring?

We observed that there was a good interaction between staff members and people. People’s care needs were met by a qualified, skilled and experience staff team. One person used sign language to tell us that they were well cared for and that staff were helpful and supportive. They also used sign language to inform us that they were staying at the care home on the day of our inspection but were going home for the weekend.

Is the service responsive?

People had regular one to one sessions with their keyworker to talk about any issues relating to their care and support plans. The care plans we reviewed demonstrated that people's needs had been assessed and met appropriately. People accessed local community facilities and staff helped and supported them with activities to promote their independent living.

Is the service well-led?

People’s care needs were met. The organisation carried out an annual questionnaire surveys to assess and monitor the quality of service. But not specific to the care home. This meant that the staff at the home would not know any issues identified which needed to be addressed. Regular audits had been carried out to ensure that people’s needs were met and that they lived in a safe and comfortable environment.

Medication was recorded as administered in accordance with people’s prescriptions. Staffing numbers were suitable and mandatory training had been attended although most staff had not attended training on autism; all of the people who lived at the home had a diagnosis of autism.

Quality monitoring arrangements needed improvement because audits were not completed timely or completed in full and incidents had not all been reported internally or to the Care Quality Commission as appropriate.