This inspection took place on 23 September 2015 and was unannounced. Longhouse is a purpose built home which provides accommodation for up to six people. Each bedroom has private toilet and shower facilities. People have access to the communal lounge and dining room and a secure garden.
People who stay at Longhouse have a learning and/or a physical disability. They generally live in their own home with a relative or a carer and stay at Longhouse when their relatives need a break from their role as a carer. Throughout the majority of our time at Longhouse there were only two people staying at the home. However during the late afternoon a further two people arrived for their planned stay.
A registered manager was in place as required by their conditions of registration. 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 told us they enjoyed staying at Longhouse. They said staff were very friendly and kind. Staff knew people well and chatted to them in a relaxed and warm manner. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs and risks. Discussions with people’s relatives before they stayed at the home helped staff to understand if there had been any changes in their support requirements. However, the level of detail about people’s risks was not always consistently recorded. Whilst people’s regular medicines were managed well, the reasons why some people required additional medicines sometimes was not always clearly documented. Staff received advice and support about people’s needs from other health care services when needed. People had the opportunity to carry out activities in the home and out in the community and enjoyed a variety of meals.
People told us they felt safe at the home and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Extra staff were provided when people required additional support with their care and social activities. There was a low turnover of staff in the home. Training plans and systems were in place to ensure people were cared for by staff who received regular training and support from their line manager. Staff told us they felt supported and trained to carry out their role.
People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and the registered manager. Relatives told us any day to day concerns, which they had raised, were always dealt with immediately. The registered manager valued people’s feedback and responded to their concerns. Monitoring systems were in place to ensure the services were operating effectively and safely. Internal and external audits were carried out to continually monitor the overall services provided. Plans were in place to improve the monitoring of the home by the provider.