About the service 16 Homeside Close is a adapted residential building which delivers personal care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities and associated conditions. At the time of inspection the service was supporting eight people.
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
Staff understood their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults. Risks to people's safety and wellbeing were managed effectively. People were supported by a sufficient number of staff who knew them and their support needs.
Checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) were undertaken. The DBS helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable people. The provider had not always sought evidence of satisfactory conduct for a staff member who was previously employed in health and social care roles. However, the provider had a robust supervisory and induction process to monitor performance, which reduced the risks regarding lack of satisfactory conduct from previous employment. The registered manager introduced a risk assessment following our inspection for any staff recruited where they could not get evidence of satisfactory conduct.
People’s medicines were managed in a safe way. There were safe systems in place to help ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.
Staff received training on infection control and were provided with personal protective equipment such as disposable aprons and gloves. We have made a recommendation the registered provider takes appropriate action in line with guidance and best practice to prevent the risk of infection relating to water hygiene management.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to support people safely. People's needs were assessed and reviewed, and their preferences were considered when arranging their care. The service worked with other agencies to achieve good outcomes for people, who were supported to access healthcare services and support appropriately.
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.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
People were well treated and supported to engage in activities that were meaningful to them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. Confidential information about people was stored securely.
People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. People were provided with information in a way they could understand which helped them make decisions about their care. There were effective systems in place to deal appropriately with complaints.
People were at the heart of the service. The registered manager and staff were passionate and continuously strived to achieve good, positive outcomes for people. Systems were operated effectively to maintain the quality and safety of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (report published 20 November 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.