Archived: Dorset Learning Disability Service - 11 Friars Close

Updated 17 April 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

Dorset Learning Disability Service – 11 Friars Close is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at on this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Inspection site visit activity started and ended on 30 March 2019.

Notice of inspection:

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of our inspection so that the people living at the service could be informed of our visit.

What we did:

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included notifications the home had sent us. A notification is the means by which providers tell us important information that affects the running of the service and the care people receive. We used the information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us when requested to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

People had complex communication needs and were unable to provide us with feedback. We made general observations of interactions between care staff and people. We spoke with the registered manager and three support workers. We reviewed two people’s care files, one medicine administration record, policies, risk assessments, health and safety records, consent to care and quality audits. We looked at two staff files, the recruitment process, complaints, training and supervision records.

We walked around the building and observed care practice and interactions between staff and people who live there. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

Following the site inspection, we spoke with three relatives by telephone who gave us their feedback.

Updated 17 April 2019

About the service:

Dorset Learning Disability Service – 11 Friars Close provides accommodation and care for up to four people with a learning disability. At the time of inspection there were four people living in the home.

People’s experience of using this service:

People did not always have their rights protected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). MCA assessments had been carried out but did not assess people’s capacity to make individual decisions. We spoke with the registered manager and they told us they were aware of this and had planned to complete the assessments. The registered manager sent us evidence that the correct assessments had been carried out following the inspection.

Staff and relatives told us people were safe and happy living at the home. The staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to meet people’s individual needs. People’s outcomes were known, and staff worked with people to help achieve these. People were supported and encouraged to maintain their independence and live their lives as fully as possible.

People were supported to maintain contact with those important to them including friends, family and other people living at the home. Staff understood the importance of these contacts for people’s health and well-being. Staff and people were observed enjoying warm and mutually beneficial interactions. Staff knew people well and what made them individuals.

The management of the home were respected by people, relatives and staff. Staff had a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities and were supported to reflect on their practice and pursue learning opportunities. The staff team got on well together demonstrating team work and flexibility.

Quality and safety checks were completed which helped ensure people were safe and protected from harm. This meant the home could continually improve. Audits identified areas for improvement and this learning was shared with staff.

The service met the values that underpin the 'Registering the Right Support' and other best practice guidance such as 'Building the Right Support'. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. Also, how people with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service met the characteristics of good in all areas; more information is in the full report

Rating at last inspection:

This service was last inspected in December 2016 and was rated as good.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was scheduled based on previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the home until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk