This inspection took place on 30 September 2015 and was unannounced. The last inspection to this service took place on 25 June 2013. At our last inspection we found that the provider was meeting all of the regulations we checked.
Riverside House is a specialist service offering care and support to nine people who have mental health needs and have a forensic mental health history. The provider offers accommodation, supervision and support for people preparing to live within the community.
There was a registered manager in place. 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 who used the service said they felt safe and knew who to approach if not. There had been no allegations of abuse in the past year. Staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported and knew what procedures were in place if they had concerns.
Medicines were safely managed and people received their medicines as they needed.
Risks to people were carefully assessed, recorded and included in individual care plans. Staff were knowledgeable about the risks to individuals and skilful at working with people to minimise those risks.
There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. All staff were vetted prior to commencing work and essential recruitment documents and records were in place.
Staff were knowledgeable about the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and procedures were in place in relation to the Act.
Staff used their knowledge about the needs of individuals to support people effectively and received support, training and supervision as they needed to help with this.
People were supported with their dietary needs effectively.
The provider worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to promote and optimise the health and wellbeing of people .
People were supported by kind and caring staff. They said that staff were always there and were approachable whenever they needed to talk.
People were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. They were treated with dignity and respect and their views were taken into account when developing what support they received.
People’s needs were assessed prior to their admission to ensure they received the right care and support.
Whilst care plans identified actions to meet needs, care plans developed did not always clearly state how rehabilitation and recovery goals would be achieved. However, people were supported to develop their skills and abilities, and to pursue their personal interests.
A complaints procedure was in place. People who used the service knew how to complain and said they had no complaints. Where issues or shortfalls were raised these were promptly addressed.
People using the service and staff told us there were good management arrangements in place. Staff said they felt well supported and there was good leadership.
There was a system of regular audits to check that policies and procedures were being implemented correctly.
The structure within the service for decision making and accountability made sure that people's care and support needs were met consistently.