About the service Chestnut Street is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to three people aged 18 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to three people whilst they attend Arden College in Southport.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence and inclusion.
There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
We saw many examples where staff had supported people to become more independent, make choices and increase their physical and emotional wellbeing. Independent living skills learned whilst they attended Arden college were encouraged by staff to be put into practice. People had made significant achievements. This included personal care and daily activities such as laundry, cleaning their home, shopping, preparing snacks and drinks.
Chestnut Street is located in an area that enabled people using the service to participate in their own local community, for example, local restaurants and leisure activities.
Staff had developed effective communication with people. This meant that they were able to make their own decisions about their support; staff ensured they were supported to make choices on a day to day basis. Staff gave people the time they needed to make decisions and communicate them.
Risks that people faced had been assessed and those identified were safely managed. Medicines were managed safely. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm.
People were offered choice and control and where able consented to their support. People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink well. People were given a choice of suitable meals and snacks. Staff supported people to make meals of their choice throughout the week. People were supported to access healthcare when needed.
Staffing levels were appropriately managed, and people received support from consistent, regular staff. Enough staff were employed each day to meet people's needs, keep them safe and give them the opportunity to take part in their chosen activity.
Staff received a range of training appropriate to their role and people's needs, and were supported by the registered manager through regular supervision.
Effective systems were in place to check the quality and safety of the service. The environment was clean and safe and in a good state of repair and decoration.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. The registered manager and the staff team showed a desire to improve on the service provided and the quality of life experiences for the people at Chestnut Street.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (report published 28/06/2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.