This unannounced inspection took place on 5 and 6 March 2017. Ceely Road is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.Ceely Road provides care for up to six adults with learning disabilities in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection six people lived in the service.
The care service has been developed and designed 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 using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
Ceely Road has a registered manager in place. 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.
Improvements had been made in the area of infection control since our previous inspection in November 2015. An infection control audit along with other audits such as health and safety were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.
At the time of the inspection, the number of staff available to support people was not always sufficient. Following our inspection we were told this had been remedied and staffing levels would be increased to meet the demands of the service.
Trained staff administered medicines to people. Most medicine records were up-to-date and accurate. Where records were not accurate these were amended before the end of our inspection.
Staff recruitment was carried out safely; this was to prevent unsuitable people from working with the people at Ceely Road. Staff were trained and received support to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles. They were encouraged to feedback ideas to assist with the improvement of the service, through supervision, meetings and general discussion.
Staff were trained to identify signs of abuse and how to report concerns. Where people required additional support with maintaining their health, professionals such as psychologists and GPs were consulted.
Where people were not able to make decisions for themselves, their mental capacity was assessed and the best interest process was followed. People were 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.
People and their relatives spoke positively about the caring nature of staff. We observed how staff supported people with their care in a dignified and sensitive way. People’s communication needs were identified and staff had the skills and knowledge to work in an inclusive way with each person.
People’s relatives told us where appropriate they were kept up to date with changes to people’s needs and their day to day lifestyle choices. Relatives told us there was an honest and open culture in the service.
People were supported to remain as independent as possible; involvement in the community was encouraged. Activities were available to people to protect them from the risk of social isolation.
Care plans and risk assessments were in place to ensure staff knew how to support people appropriately and safely.
People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the registered manager and the staff. Staff understood the aim of the service and worked together to accomplish providing good quality and effective care.