About the service Options Thorpe House is a care home providing accommodation and personal care to ten adults with a learning disability or autism, and complex health needs. The service can accommodate a maximum of 11 people.
The service is located in a large building within its own grounds with accessible gardens. The accommodation comprises of nine flats over two floors. There are eight single occupancy flats, and one shared flat; all with bathrooms. The service has a sensory room on the premises which is separate from the main building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Feedback highlighted concerns about low staffing levels and the impact this had on staff morale in the service. The provider had taken measures to improve recruitment and retention of staff, but this was a recent initiative and it was too soon to see evidence of the impact this would have.
Training completion levels in subjects specific to peoples diagnosis were found to be low in some areas. We made a recommendation about this.
The service was safe for people to live in, and staff to work in. Risks to people were assessed which enabled them to take acceptable risks and live safely. People were protected from risks associated with the spread of infection. Medicines were safely stored and administered as prescribed.
People could show behaviour of distress at times which placed them, the staff and others at risk of harm. Guidance was in place on how staff were to manage incidents. The registered manager and provider monitored, and analysed incidents and they were used as opportunities for learning, and improvements put in place.
Relatives told us that their loved one was safe living at Options Thorpe House. Staff were aware of their responsibilities and knew what action to take should they suspect any form of abuse.
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.
People's needs were assessed before they moved into the service. Care plans were personalised.
People's relatives told us staff were kind, and supportive. People were encouraged to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their support including reviewing their care, or deciding what activities to take part in.
People had been supported to increase their independence and learn new skills for example preparing food, drinks and recycling. They were supported to communicate with a range of tools including picture cards, so they were able to express themselves.
There were multiple healthcare professionals involved in people's care and providing joined up care. People were supported to live healthy lives and eat and drink adequate amounts.
Consideration was given to people's specific interests.
Areas of responsibility and accountability in the home were clear, and the service quality regularly reviewed. Staff and relatives said the registered manager was approachable and felt they would be able to raise any issues. Registration requirements were met.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture. People were supported in the least restrictive way possible to make choices and received care and support that was person centred and promoted independence and dignity.
Observations and records showed that people were encouraged to be independent and to make choices about their care, and care planning was person centred. Individual communication needs were considered to support people to be involved in their care, and information was presented in alternative formats.
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 Outstanding (published 30 August 2017).
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding to test the reliability of our new monitoring approach.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.