This inspection took place on 4 August 2015 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 24 hours' notice as this is a small service and the people are often out all day. We needed to be sure someone would be in.
Anthony Toby Homes Trust - 38 Sarum Crescent provides a service for up to three people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder. The service is set in a residential area of Wokingham. Due to the small size of this service, and so as not to identify them, we have not included direct quotes from people living at the home in this report.
The service has a registered manager. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were protected from the risks of abuse and knew who to talk to if they were concerned. Medicines were managed well and staff administering medicines were only allowed to do so after passing their training and being assessed as competent.
People were protected by robust recruitment processes and could be confident that staff working with them were checked for suitability. Staff were available when people needed them and were well trained and supported by their managers.
People received effective care and support from staff who knew how people liked things done. New staff were provided with induction training and ongoing training was monitored with updates provided as needed.
People worked with the staff, planning and ensuring their diets were nutritious and took account of their individual likes and dislikes. People were able to participate in activities of their choice and were supported to be involved in the local community.
People benefitted from staff who were well supervised. Staff had regular one to one meetings (supervision) with their manager every two to three months to discuss their work.
People's rights to make their own decisions were protected. Managers and staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They were aware of their responsibilities related to the Act and ensured that any decisions made on behalf of people were made within the law and in their best interests.
People received effective health care support. People's health and well-being was assessed and measures put in place to ensure people's needs were met in an individualised way. A care manager confirmed people's health needs were looked after and advice sought when needed.
People were treated with care and kindness and were supported to be as independent as possible. People's wellbeing was protected and all interactions observed between staff and people living at the service were caring, friendly and respectful. People confirmed staff respected their privacy and dignity.
People were supported to express their views and be involved in decisions related to the planning of their care and the running of the service. People knew what to do and who they would talk to if they had any complaints. There had been no formal complaints made to the service since our last inspection and no one had contacted us with concerns.
People benefitted from a staff team that were happy in their work. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service. They felt supported by the management and their colleagues when working there. The registered manager oversaw and managed practice at the service and encouraged an open and inclusive culture.