This inspection took place on 17 May 2016 and was unannounced. When we last inspected this service in January 2014 we found it compliant with all the regulations we looked at.Queen Alexandra College is a specialist college which also provides accommodation to students who have learning and or physical disabilities in four homes on site. The home is registered with the Commission to provide care for up to 51 people. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people living in the homes. Additionally the service offers respite care however there was no one using this service when we visited. There was a registered manager at this location. 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.
People who used the service and their relatives told us that the home was safe. Staff were aware of the need to keep people safe and they knew how to raise concerns through the provider’s whistle blowing policy.
People were supported to have their medication as prescribed because there was clear procedures and guidance for staff. There were systems for checking that medication had been managed and stored in the correct way.
People told us that they were very happy with how staff supported them. We saw that people were relaxed around staff. People had opportunities to participate in a range of activities they enjoyed in the homes and community.
People and, where appropriate, their relatives, were consulted about their preferences and people were treated with dignity and respect. There were extensive communication aids available to help people express their views.
Staff working at the homes understood the needs of the people who lived there. We saw that staff communicated well with each other and spoke highly of the management and leadership they received.
People were helped and supported to plan and coordinate their transition between services.
People were supported by staff who were appropriately trained, skilled and supervised. Records contained detailed information for staff to meet people’s specific needs however record keeping processes were not consistent between the homes.
When appropriate the registered manager had involved other health professionals in making best interest decisions about people’s support needs. The provider knew what action to take to provide care in the least restrictive way.
People were supported to have their healthcare needs met and were encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staff sought and took advice from relevant health professionals when needed. We saw people had been supported by the provider’s own on site health services.
People were supported to prepare and eat meals of their choosing. Staff knew how to support people who needed specific diets to maintain their health.
There was effective leadership from the registered manager to ensure that staff were well motivated and enthusiastic. The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care consistently through regular audits of events and practice.