About the service Monro Avenue is a residential care home providing personal care to people with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder. People are accommodated in two detached houses next door to each other. The service can support up to 14 people and at the time of the inspection fourteen people were using the service.
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 building design fitted into the residential area and the other domestic homes of a similar size. 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe, risks were assessed, monitored and well managed. Staff knew how to report concerns when people’s safety and wellbeing was at risk. Staffing levels met people’s personalised care needs. Staff followed good practice guidelines to prevent the spread of infection and the home was clean and tidy. People’s medicines were managed safely.
People’s dietary needs were met, and healthy eating was promoted. Staff ensured people's healthcare needs were met. Staff were alert and responsive to any changes in people's needs and liaised with health care professionals.
Staff training was tailored to meet people's individual needs and the provider recognised that the on-going development of staff skills, competence and knowledge was central to ensuring high-quality care and support. Staff received regular, useful and engaging supervision from senior staff members. The staff appraisal system ensured that all staff were working to the same vision and values as the provider.
People were supported by staff who knew them well. Care was personalised according to people's support needs and preferences. People’s independence and social engagement was promoted. Staff supported people to take part in activities and hobbies of their choice. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with family, friends and partners. People experienced positive outcomes and were empowered to make choices about their lives. Staff spoke with pride about supporting people to live fulfilling lives.
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 become more independent.
The manager and area manager completed audits to monitor the quality of the service. The service put improvements in place when needed. People, relatives and staff were supported to feedback about the service and the service linked and worked well with other organisations. The leadership, management and governance of the service assured the delivery of high quality, person-centred care. The staff understood the vision and values of the provider and these made sure people were at the heart of the service.
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 (published 22 August 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.