The inspection took place on 3 May 2018 and was unannounced.Timber Grove is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Timber Grove accommodates up to 15 people in an adapted single storey building who may have a physical disability, learning disability or sensory impairment. The service does not provide nursing care. On the day of our inspection, 11 people were living at Timber Grove.
At our last inspection on the 4 and 8 February 2016, we rated the service Good. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the overall 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 rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
The service embraces 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.
The service requires and did have a registered manager. 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.
There were adequate numbers of staff to help keep people safe, meet their needs and protect them from harm and abuse. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed. There were safe systems in place for receiving, administering and disposing of medicines.
People were supported by staff that had the skills and experience needed to provide effective care. Staff had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to eat and drink enough and maintain a balanced diet and to access health and social care services when required.
People were cared for by staff who knew people well and were kind and sensitive to their needs. Staff ensured people’s privacy and dignity was respected and maintained at all times, and their independence promoted.
There was a strong emphasis on person centred care. Care plans were regularly reviewed and, where able, people were proactively supported to plan their care and support to ensure they received a service that was based on their personal needs and wishes. People were encouraged and supported by staff to pursue their interests and hobbies and activities were tailored around people’s likes, choices and abilities.
The registered manager demonstrated their commitment to learn and implement best practice, ensuring people had a good quality of life. Staff were motivated and proud to work at the service. Effective systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service. The registered manager was able to demonstrate how they measured and analysed the care and support provided to people, and how this ensured that the service was operating safely and was continually improving to meet people’s needs.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.