20 Stratton Road is a three bedded home located in the village of Pewsey. It is registered to provide personal care and support to three people with a learning disability and mental health needs.The inspection took place over two days on the 3 and 4 February 2016. The inspection was unannounced. During our last inspection in October 2013 we found the provider had satisfied the legal requirements in all of the areas that we looked at.
The service had a registered manager; however they did not participate in the inspection as they were no longer in post for this service. The home manager was in the process to apply to be the registered manager and was responsible for the day to day running of the service.
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 were supported by kind, caring staff that knew them well and understood their care and support needs. Relatives spoke positively about the care and support their family member received. People were involved in their support planning and were supported to take part in social activities both within the home and community.
People were supported to maintain relationships with people that mattered to them. Relatives were kept informed of their loved ones health and well-being and any changes in their needs.
Medicines were stored and administered safely. Where people managed their own medicines, risk assessments were in place.
People were kept safe by staff who recognised signs of potential harm or abuse and knew what to do when safeguarding concerns were raised. Staff felt confident concerns raised would be listened to and acted upon by the home manager.
People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and maintain a balanced diet that promoted healthy eating. People had access to dietary and nutritional specialists to help meet their assessed needs.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to ensure safe recruitment practices were followed.
Staff and the home manager had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). Staff were knowledgeable about the rights of people to make their own choices and decisions. This was reflected in the way staff supported and encouraged people to make decisions when delivering care and support.
Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in relation to infection control and hygiene. During our inspection we saw the home was clean, tidy and free from odours.
The provider and home manager had systems in place to monitor the quality of service. Relatives of people using the service were encouraged to share their views on the care and support their family member received.
There were systems in place to respond to any emergencies. Staff had access to a 24 hour on call system to enable them to seek advice in an emergency.