This inspection took place on 16 December 2015 and was unannounced. The previous inspection was carried out in September 2014 and there were no concerns identified.
Belmont is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six people who have a learning disability. At the time of the inspection four people were living at the service, each having their own bedroom, one with an ensuite wet room. People had access to a communal lounge, dining room, kitchen, conservatory, laundry room and shared bathrooms. There is a well maintained garden and outside area. There is off street parking within the grounds and access to public transport.
The service does not have a registered manager. The provider had recently appointed a manager, who intends to apply to register with the Care Quality Commission and was present during the inspection visit. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff recruitment procedures were safe and made sure that the staff employed to support people were fit to do so. There were sufficient staff on duty throughout the day and night to make sure people were safe and received the care and support that they needed.
Staff had completed induction training when they first started to work at the service. Staff were supported during their induction, monitored and assessed to check that they had attained the right skills and knowledge to be able to care for, support and meet people’s needs. When staff had completed induction training they had gone on to complete other basic training provided by the company. There was also training for staff in areas that were specific to the needs of people, like epilepsy and autism. Staff were supported to carry out their duties effectively and were offered further support through one to one supervision, team meetings and appraisals.
People had in depth personalised care plans, risk assessments and guidance in place to help staff to support them in an individual way. Staff encouraged people to be involved and feel included in their environment. People were offered varied activities and participated in social activities of their choice. People were supported to pursue individual interests and hobbies. Staff spoke about people in a respectful way which demonstrated they cared about the people’s welfare. People interacted positively with staff, smiling and being involved in conversations.
People were supported to make their own decisions and choices and these were respected by staff, who gained consent from people by talking through their care and support needs with them. People’s care files made reference to capacity for different decisions. Staff were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The MCA provides the legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions, at a certain time.
People had family that were important to them and contact was supported by staff. People felt safe in the service and when out with staff. The service had safeguarding procedures in place and staff had received training in these. People received care and support from a small team of staff and the registered manager worked on rota alongside staff at times. People were happy with the service they received and felt staff were kind.
Equipment and the premises received regular checks and servicing in order to ensure it was safe. Safety checks were completed and there were regular fire drills so people knew how to leave the building safely.
People were supported to maintain good health and attended appointments and check-ups. Health needs were kept under review and appropriate referrals were made when required.
People were encouraged to eat and drink enough and were offered choices around their meals and hydration needs. People were supported tomake their own drinks and cook when they wanted to. Staff understood people’s likes and dislikes and dietary requirements and promoted people to eat a healthy diet.
People felt staff were caring, they said they were kind. Staff knew people and their support needs well. Established members of staff had built up relationships with people and were familiar with their life stories and preferences. People’s individual religious needs were met.
People felt comfortable in complaining, but did not have any concerns. People and their relatives had opportunities to provide feedback about the service both informally and formally.
In the absence of a registered manager, the service has been managed by senior support staff with a registered manager from another of the provider’s services and locality manager offering support and guidance. Staff told us they felt well supported during this period but were happy to be returning to their usual duties now that a manager had been appointed.