This service is currently registered with the CQC as 29-29a Shrewsbury Road and provides accommodation and support for up to 16 people with learning disabilities. However the provider, Active Prospects, has refurbished the home and changed it to a 7 bedded short breaks service. This is provided at 29 Shrewsbury Road. The upstairs (29a Shrewsbury Road) is now part of their supported living service, and is not included in this inspection.At the time of our inspection three people were living at the service. The inspection took place on 13 and 16 January 2017 and was announced. On 13 January 2017 we telephoned relatives to ask for their feedback. On 16 January 2017 we visited the service to talk to people and the staff.
The service did not 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. The current manager was in the process of applying to be registered.
People and their relatives were positive about the service. One relative said, “This really does come to the rescue of people with special needs. It’s really ideal for what we need.”
This is a short breaks service that aims to give people the confidence, support and skills to live independently. People or their relatives can book themselves into the service to receive short term care and support. It responded to people’s support needs, and was able to clearly demonstrate the positive impact it had on people’s lives. Support plans were based around the individual preferences of people as well as their medical needs. People were involved in how their support was planned and given. Support plans gave a good level of detail for staff to reference if they needed to know what support was required. People received the care and support as detailed in their care plans, and the provider and staff team went out of their way to support people to improve their lives.
Throughout our inspection staff helped people, by being available to talk, and spent time discussing issues people had in their lives. The service had a homely feel and reflected the interests and lives of the people who stayed here. There was positive feedback about the service and caring nature of staff from all the people who lived here, and their relatives.
People were safe at 29 Shrewsbury Road. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet the needs and preferences of the people that lived there. Staff understood their duty should they suspect abuse was taking place, including the agencies that needed to be notified, such as the local authority safeguarding team or the police. Risks of harm to people had been identified and clear plans and guidelines were in place to minimise these risks, without restricting people’s freedom. People were involved in these decisions because staff took the time to explain to them in a way they could understand.
The staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Good interactions were seen throughout the day of our inspection, such as staff talking with people and showing interest in what people were doing. People looked relaxed and happy with the staff.
The provider had carried out appropriate recruitment checks to ensure staff were suitable to support people in the service. Staff received a comprehensive induction and ongoing training, tailored to the needs of the people they supported. Staff felt very supported by the manager and the senior management within Active Prospects.
People were supported to manage their own medicines where possible. Staff managed the medicines in a safe way and were trained in the safe administration of medicines.
In the event of an emergency people would be protected because there were clear procedures in place to evacuate the building.
If people did not have the capacity to understand or consent to a decision the staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). Appropriate assessments of people’s ability to make decisions for themselves had been completed. Staff asked people for their permission before they provided support.
Where people’s liberty may need to be restricted to keep them safe, the staff understood the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure the person’s rights were protected. No one had, or needed a DoLS at the time of our inspection.
People were supported to choose healthy options for what they ate and drank and how they led their lives. Staff respected people’s choice to make decisions for themselves.
People knew how to make a complaint. The policy was in an easy to read format to help people and relatives know how to make a complaint if they wished. Complaints received since our last inspection had been dealt with in an appropriate manner. Staff knew how to respond to a complaint should one be received.
Quality assurance records were kept up to date to show that the provider had checked on important aspects of the management of the service. The manager had ensured that accurate records relating to the care and treatment of people and the overall management of the service were maintained. Records for checks on health and safety, infection control, and internal medicines audits were all up to date. Accident and incident records were analysed and used to improve the care provided to people. The senior management team from the provider regularly visited the service to give people and staff an opportunity to talk to them, and to ensure a good standard of care was being provided to people.
People were living in a caring, safe, clean service, and had effective and responsive support from the staff. The manager led the service well and worked with the provider and staff team to give a good quality of life to people. A relative said, “Overall this service is brilliant. It has set us free to do other things when our family member is here.”