Elm House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 12 people. The home does not provide nursing care. The home mainly provides support for people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder and who may also have mental health needs. Accommodation is provided over two floors and there are 12 single bedrooms. There were six people living at the home at the time of our inspection.
This inspection was undertaken on 19 May 2015 and was unannounced. We last inspected Elm House in October 2013. At that inspection we found the service was meeting all the essential standards that we assessed.
There was a registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. 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 had mental capacity assessments completed and information about their best interest decisions were well documented. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards guidance had been followed and completed applications sent to the appropriate agencies so that people were not deprived of their liberty unlawfully.
People’s health and care needs were assessed and reviewed so that staff knew how to care for and support people in the home. People had access to a wide variety of health professionals who were requested appropriately and who provided information to maintain people’s health and wellbeing.
The risk of abuse for people was reduced because staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. People were supported to be as safe as possible and risk assessments had been written to give staff the information they needed to reduce risks.
Staff received an induction and were supported in their roles through regular supervision, annual appraisals and training to ensure they understood their roles and responsibilities.
People were involved in the planning and choice of the meals, snacks and drinks, which they told us they enjoyed.
People were able, with support, to contact their friends and families when they wanted. Staff supported and encouraged people with activities that they enjoyed.
People were able to raise any concerns or complaints with the staff and were confident that action would be taken. Independent advocates were available so that people could be provided with independent support.
People in the home were happy with the staff and management. People were involved in meetings, and action was taken where requests or comments had been raised regarding suggested improvements.