Shalom

Updated 10 May 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

This was a comprehensive inspection which took place on10 April 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before we visited we looked at previous inspection reports and notifications we had received. Services tell us about important events relating to the care they provide using a notification. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who use the service. People using the service were not able to give us feedback directly about the care they received. We tried to contact the four people’s relatives about their views on the quality of the care and support being provided. We were able to speak with two relatives to gain their feedback. During our inspection we looked around the premises and observed the interactions between people using the service and staff.

We looked at documents that related to people’s care and support and the management of the service. We reviewed a range of records which included two care and support plans and daily records, staff training records, staff duty rosters, staff personnel files, policies and procedures and quality monitoring documents.

During the visit we met the four people who were living at the service during our inspection. We spoke with the area care manager, registered manager and two care staff. We received feedback from two health and social care professionals who worked alongside the service.

Updated 10 May 2018

Shalom is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to four adults with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were four people living in the home. The home is a bungalow with a communal lounge and dining room. The bedrooms are spacious with shared bathrooms. The service is one of many, run by the White Horse Care Trust, within Wiltshire and Swindon.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the 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 our last inspection in February 2016 we rated the service 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 on-going 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.

A registered manager was employed by the service and was present during our 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.

We observed staff interacting with people in a kind and caring manner, involving people in choices around their daily living. Staff sought permission before providing care and support and made sure people knew what was happening at all times.

People looked relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff and did not hesitate to seek support and assistance when required.

Staff continued to monitor people’s physical and emotional wellbeing and ensured support was in place to meet their changing needs. Each person had a health action plan which described their health care needs. Where necessary, staff contacted health and social care professionals for guidance and support. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely.

Staff received training in how to recognise and report abuse. All staff were clear about how to report any concerns they had. Staff we spoke with were confident that any concerns raised would be fully investigated to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm or abuse.

People had access to food and drink throughout the day and were supported to eat their preferred food choices. Where people chose not to eat the menu options available alternatives were offered.

Staff told us they felt supported in their roles. Staff said they received appropriate training to have the correct knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.

There were enough staff deployed to fully meet people’s health and social care needs. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to ensure safe recruitment practices were followed.

The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. The service worked in conjunction with other health professionals to support people to access additional support and services where needed.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.