Archived: Teversham Road

This announced inspection took place on 22 and 23 June 2016. There were four people receiving care at that time although only three people were present during our inspection.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 registered manager was fully aware of his legal responsibilities in relation to his registration and management of the service.

Staff were only employed after the provider had carried out comprehensive and satisfactory pre-employment checks. People experienced a good quality of life because staff were well trained and well supported by the provider and registered manager. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s assessed needs. Systems were in place to ensure people’s safety was effectively managed. Staff were aware of the procedures for reporting concerns and of how to protect people from harm.

People received their prescribed medicines appropriately and medicines were stored safely. People’s health, care and support needs were effectively met. People were provided with a balanced diet and staff were aware of people’s dietary needs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. We found that there were formal systems in place to assess people’s capacity for decision making and applications had been made to the authorising agencies for people who needed these safeguards. Staff respected people choices and staff were aware of the key legal requirements of the MCA and DoLS.

People received care and support from staff who were kind, caring and respectful. Staff were passionate about their roles and committed to providing person centred care. Staff supported people to develop and maintain meaningful relationships. People and people significant to them had ample opportunities to comment on the service provided. People were supported to be involved in all decisions about their lives.

Care records provided staff with sufficient detailed guidance to ensure each person received consistent, individualised care. Changes to people’s care was kept under review to ensure the change was effective. People were meaningfully occupied and were provided with opportunities to engage in a range of different activities and pastimes. Staff supported people to have new experiences. People were supported to be members of the local community.

The registered manager was supported by a staff team that including a deputy manager and support workers. The service was well run and staff, including the registered manager, were professional and approachable. People and their visitors were encouraged to provide continuous feedback on the service both formally and informally. People’s views were listened to and acted on.

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found.

Is the service safe?

Risk assessments regarding people's individual activities were carried out and measures were in place to minimise these risks. Staff had an understanding of their roles and responsibilities in making sure people were protected from the risk of abuse and correct procedures had been followed. People who used the service told us that they felt safe and they felt confident to report any concerns. The provider was taking appropriate action to ensure that people's rights were protected by appropriate consideration and use of the Mental Capacity Act.

Is the service effective?

Our observations found that members of staff knew people's individual health and

wellbeing needs. We saw that people had a very positive relationship with the staff who supported them. One friend and one relative spoke very highly of the staff and the support they offered. One of the people who used the service said that they enjoyed going away on holiday with support from a member of staff and another person said that they enjoyed going to an animal rescue centre with support from a member of staff.

Is the service caring?

We saw how members of staff supported people and this was done well and in a respectful way. Staff were friendly and approachable and encouraged people to be independent and engage in meaningful activities.

Is the service responsive?

We saw that people's individual physical, mental and social care and support needs were assessed and met. This also included people's individual choices and preferences as to what they would like to eat and how they liked to spend their day.

Is the service well led?

The provider had systems in place to monitor all aspects of the service to ensure that the service offered was of high quality and was what people who used the service wanted. People had plenty of opportunities to put their views about the service forward, both on a daily basis and at regular meetings. Staff also had opportunities to make suggestions and improvements were made wherever possible.

Records we looked at confirmed that the manager carried out a number of audits of systems within the service, such as records, fire safety systems and health and safety. The manager reported on these by completing a monthly audit, which was sent to the provider's head office.

People were actively included in discussions, helped to make choices about what to do and supported to maintain their independence.

People we spoke with told us about how they spent their day and what they liked to do. This included going shopping, help with cooking and social activities.

Staff supported people to access a range of health care services and procedures were in place to ensure that they received their medication safely.

Staff we spoke with told us that they enjoyed their job and had received sufficient training to provide care and support to people safely.

Quality assurance systems were in place to ensure that people who used the service were safe.