We last inspected this service on 28 June 2013. At that time we found that the registered person had not managed medicines safely and that records relating to peoples care were not adequate. At this inspection we found that these issues had been adequately addressed.Pear Tree Lane is home to 13 people with learning disabilities who live in three separate buildings on one site. There were nine people at home on the day of our inspection. We observed people during the day. People had very limited verbal communication and expressed their wishes with gestures and behaviours. We talked with the manager and the deputy manager. We looked in detail at the care records of three people. We visited on a weekday and we spoke with two professionals, one senior manager and two relatives. We spoke three members of staff and looked at three staff files.
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes the records we looked at and what relatives and staff told us.
If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary, please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
The staff and manager had a good understanding of safeguarding and whistle blowing policies. Staff understood their role in safeguarding the people they supported. We saw people were cared for in an environment that was safe and clean. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of people who lived at the home. There were procedures in place to safeguard people from abuse.
The Care Quality Commission monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. We saw that proper policies and procedures were in place. The manager had an understanding of these safeguards which ensured people's rights and choices were protected.
Risk assessments and health and safety measures were in place to keep people safe. A member of staff told us, 'It's second to none. You won't get anything better. Everything is done for the customers. Any issues and concerns are dealt with immediately by the managers.'
Is the service effective?
Care plans specified people's individual needs, for example, a person's mobility, or food requirements. One member of staff told us, 'The manager is very professional and supportive on both a professional and personal front.' The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care safely and effectively. A health professional told us, 'Things are dealt with there. They chase me if I haven't done something.'
We saw that people were treated with dignity and care. Since our last inspection the home had acquired a new activities room and relaxation area with a vibrating water bed. There was a ceiling track hoist making it accessible to everyone to improve their comfort and personal enjoyment.
Is the service caring?
We saw the staff and manager were patient and gave encouragement when they supported people. All staff were aware of peoples choices, preferences and support needs. We found the care and support was delivered with respect. A relative told us, 'They are brilliant, they do lots of activities and some staff really care about her, they are lovely with her.'
Records we looked at showed that a great deal of effort had been made by the manager to understand what was important to the person and what made them happy. A member of staff told us, 'The managers really care about people.'
Is the service responsive?
We saw clear and detailed recording that ensured the manager could make timely and informed decisions about a person's care and support. Records showed that other professionals had been involved in peoples care and support when needed. We saw that information from health professionals was acted upon and integrated into care plans. One member of staff told us, 'The managers listen and they deal with things immediately. We get the information we need.'
Is the service well-led?
The manager was aware of their responsibilities in meeting the essential standards of quality and safety. There were systems in place to ensure the quality of the service was regularly assessed and monitored. There was a clear structure of supervision responsibilities within the staff team. Staff had regular training and learning opportunities.
Staff we spoke with told us they thought the manager was approachable and provided good support. We saw that the manager was responding to recent changes in relation to the law and the possibility of depriving a person of their liberty. The operational manager told us the home has, 'A constant wanting to encourage the independence of people. It flows through everything they do here.'