Acorn House

Updated 24 March 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is 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.

The inspection was unannounced and took place on 20 February 2018.The inspection was completed by two inspectors.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us to give us some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We looked at all the information we have collected about the service. This included the previous inspection report and notifications the registered manager had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.

We looked at paperwork for four people who live in the service. This included support plans, daily notes and other documentation, such as medication records. In addition we looked at records related to the running of the service. These included a sample of health and safety, quality assurance, staff and training records.

We spoke with four people who live in the service (one person was out all day) and observed interactions between people and the care staff. We spoke with three staff members, a visiting professional, the nominated individual and the registered manager. We requested information from four professionals including the local safeguarding team. We received responses from all four. All responses were extremely positive. We received comments from some relatives.

Updated 24 March 2018

This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 20 February 2018.

Acorn House is a care home (without nursing) which is registered to provide a service for up to five people with learning disabilities. People had other associated difficulties such as being on the autistic spectrum.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Acorn House accommodates people in a purpose built domestic sized building. The service was run in line with the values that underpin the ‘’registering the right support’’ and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism can lead as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At the last inspection, on 5 January 2016, the service was rated as good in all domains. This meant that the service was rated as overall good. At this inspection we found the domain of responsive had improved to outstanding. Evidence in other domains continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated good.

The service was exceptionally person centred and responded creatively to people’s diverse, individualised needs and aspirations. Activity programmes were designed to meet people’s individual preferences and choices. Care planning was highly individualised and regularly reviewed which ensured people’s current needs were met and their equality and diversity was respected.

People continued to be protected from all forms of abuse. Staff were trained in safeguarding people and knew what action to take if they identified any concerns. The service identified general health and safety and individual risks. Action was taken to reduce all risks, as much as possible. All aspects of safety were considered and actions were taken to assist people to remain as safe as possible.

People continued to be supported by adequate staffing ratios. Staff were able to meet people’s specific needs, including any relating to diversity, safely. Recruitment systems made sure, that as far as possible, staff recruited were safe and suitable to work with people. People were supported to take their medicines, at the right times and in the right amounts by trained and competent staff.

A well-trained and knowledgeable staff team remained able to offer people effective care. They met people’s diverse needs including their current and changing health and emotional well-being needs. The service worked very closely with health and other professionals to ensure they offered individuals the best care in the most effective and comfortable way.

People continued to be supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The caring, committed and enthusiastic staff team continued to meet people’s needs with kindness and respect. They ensured they promoted people’s privacy and dignity and communicated with them effectively.

The registered manager was experienced, respected and highly thought of. She and the management team ensured the service continued to be well-led. The registered manager and the staff team were committed to ensuring they offered people exceptionally person-centred and responsive care. They continually checked there was no discrimination relating to staff or people in the service. The quality of care the service provided was constantly assessed, reviewed and improved, as necessary.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.