Adisham House

Updated 15 February 2019

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

The inspection took place on the 11 January 2019 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

We used information the registered persons sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also examined other information we held about the service. This included notifications of incidents that the registered persons had sent us since our last inspection. These are events that happened in the service that the registered persons are required to tell us about. We invited feedback from the commissioning bodies who contributed to purchasing some of the care provided in the service, and other health professionals involved in people’s support. We did this so that they could tell us their views about how well the service was meeting people’s needs and wishes.

We spoke to 5 people living at the service. Some people living at the service did not use verbal communication; instead they used a mixture of sounds, gestures and signs. We observed interactions between people and staff.

We spoke with three support workers, head of care and the registered manager of Adisham House.

We looked at care records for three people receiving a service. We looked at 4 staff files and the records that related to how the service was managed including training, staff recruitment and some quality assurance records.

Updated 15 February 2019

This inspection was carried out on 11 January 2019 and was unannounced.

Adisham House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Adisham House is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 10 people. The home specialises in providing care to people with learning disabilities and the registered provider was working within the values that underpin 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. At the time of our inspection there were nine people living in the service. Accommodation is arranged over three floors.

At our last inspection we rated the service as Good. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

There was a registered manager at the service. The provider was also the registered manager. 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 felt safe living at Adisham House with the support from the staff. Accidents and incidents, including safeguarding matters were recorded, investigated and reported in a timely manner to the local authority or CQC as necessary.

People experienced a service that was safe. Staff and the management team had received training about protecting people from abuse, and they knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and people were supported to take positive risks. The premises were maintained and checked to help to keep people safe.

The service was extremely person-centred and staff were proactive in making sure that people were supported to live fulfilled and meaningful lives. Person centred means that care was tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each person, as an individual. The vision of the service was shared by the staff.

The provider had an excellent oversight of the service and knew the staff well. Staff told us the registered manager and head of care were approachable and they were confident to raise any concerns they had with them. Staff were supported to fulfil their role in meeting people’s needs. The complaints policy was accessible to people using the service.

There were enough staff employed to meet people's needs. Staff were recruited safely and recruitment processes were robust. Staff training was up to date, and the team had a mix of skills, knowledge and experience. Staff had opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge and all were qualified in health and social care.

The registered manager supported staff through supervision and appraisals which were held regularly and recorded. Competency checks were carried out to ensure staff remained competent in their role.

People were given their medicines safely and when they needed them. Policies and procedures were in place so that people took their medicines when needed. People were supported to remain as healthy as possible and they had been given access to specialist healthcare professionals who could support people with a learning disability.

People had access to the food and drink that they enjoyed. People were supported to choose what they wanted to eat. Peoples nutrition and hydration needs had been assessed and recorded.

Staff knew people well and we observed they treated people with respect and ensured their privacy and dignity were maintained. People and a relative told us staff were kind and caring.

People were central to the support they received. Care and support was planned with people and their relatives and reviewed to make sure people continued to have the support that they needed. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible.

People took part in activities of their choice within the service and in the local community. People could choose what they wanted to do each day. There were enough staff to support people to participate in the activities they chose.

Processes were in place to monitor the quality and they regularly asked people for feedback about the service.

Services are required to prominently display their CQC performance rating. The provider had displayed the rating in the entrance hall and this was displayed on their website.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.