About the serviceDerwent Road is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to six people living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service is made up of two adjoining bungalows, each with three bedrooms and communal facilities. At the time of our inspection visit there were six people receiving care.
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.
The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.
As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.
The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.
People’s experience of using this service
The registered manager was open and honest, and worked in partnership with outside agencies to improve the service. There were checks in place to ensure good standards of care were maintained, however improvements were required to ensure all checks were effective. The registered manager had not sent us statutory notifications to notify us of restrictions placed on people's care, as they were required to do.
People felt safe using the service. Staff managed the risks to people’s health, safety and well-being and understood how to recognise and report abuse. Staff recruitment processes included background checks to review their suitability to work with vulnerable adults.
People received support from staff when needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink to maintain their well-being. They were supported with their medicines and to obtain advice from healthcare professionals when required.
Staff had training to meet people’s needs and the registered manager shared guidance with staff on how to support people effectively.
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 outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and maintain their independence.
People were treated with dignity and their independence was promoted wherever possible. They were encouraged to take part in activities which interested them and make new friends.
People had varying levels of understanding and abilities to communicate due to their complex needs. Staff communicated with people in a way which met their individual needs. People and their relatives were involved in planning care in their best interests. People and their families understood how to complain if they wanted to.
Rating at last inspection
The last inspection was a comprehensive inspection. The service was rated Good in all areas (report published 16 May 2017). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk