Archived: Norwood - 159 Station Road

During our last inspection on 2 September 2013 we found no breaches and the provider was compliant with all regulations assessed against.

Norwood – 159 Station Road provides accommodation and support with personal care for up to five adults with learning disabilities. Some of the people have autism and behaviour which can challenge the service. All people who use the service are from the Jewish faith. The service is spacious and provides accommodation on the ground and first floor. During the day of our inspection there were three people living at 159 Station Road. The service has a registered manager appointed. 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.

We found that Norwood – 159 Station Road provided a person-centred service in which people were in control of the support they received and participated in decision-making for themselves and the service. People were encouraged and enabled to be more independent and there was a clear ethos and culture to promote well-being.

Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding adults’ procedures and keeping people safe. They knew how to recognise and report concerns appropriately.

Medicines were stored and administered correctly and staff had completed the appropriate training to ensure they were competent and safe at this.

Risk assessments and care plans were effective; they were individualised and recorded all the required information. People and their relatives were involved in the care planning and assessment process.

People consented to their care and treatment and staff had a good understating of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS exist to protect the rights of people who lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions about their own wellbeing. Services should only deprive someone of their liberty when it is in the best interests of the person and there is no other way to look after them, and it should be done in a safe and correct way.

Care workers were well trained and staff had all undertaken an induction programme before starting at the service. There was a system in place to formally supervise care workers.

People had access to healthcare services and received on-going healthcare support from a local GP. Reviews of people’s mental health and healthcare were also undertaken by the multi-disciplinary team.

People’s dignity and privacy was maintained. They were supported with personal care and other tasks and were encouraged to do as much for themselves as possible in order to maintain and increase their independence.

People were given information on how to make a complaint. No complaints had been received since our last inspection.

The registered manager conducted regular audits at the service including random spot checks by senior managers from the head office to ensure the service was delivering high quality care. Actions were carried through and discussed with the staff team for learning and improvements.

We observed that people who used the service appeared well cared for and were dressed appropriately. Staff were noted to be constantly supervising and interacting with people in a pleasant manner. The needs of people had been carefully assessed and plans of care had been prepared for people following consultation with people and their representatives.

There were appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines. Staff had been provided with the required training. People told us they had received their medication.

Staff were knowledgeable regarding their roles and responsibilities. People informed us that there were sufficient staff on duty to care for them.

The home had a complaints procedure. People said they knew who to complain to if they were dissatisfied.

The service was providing for the care and support needs of the people who used it in a way that promoted their choices and maximised their independence with the minimum restrictions.