This inspection took place on 19 and 29 December 2014 and was unannounced. The last inspection of the service was carried out on 3 July 2013. The service was compliant with all the regulations we examined at that time.
The Mews is registered to accommodate a maximum of four people and provides care to people who have a learning and physical disability. Nursing care is not provided. Four people were accommodated at The Mews at the time of our visit.
The service had 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.
Relatives and visiting professionals were very complimentary about the service. For example, one relative said, “The staff are very nice, they are always welcoming at any time of the day and very, very caring. (Name) is very happy there, there are no problems it is brilliant”. One of the visiting professionals we spoke with told us “It is very well run as far as I can see. There is low staff sickness so care is consistent, it is really very good.” Another professional said, “They do very well in all areas.”
The premises were well presented and safe for people to live in. The provider and the registered manager ensured standards of the premises and care were maintained. Staff were recruited appropriately, were well trained and knowledgeable about people’s needs. The staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs and the staff worked well as a team. Medicines were managed safely. Risks were identified and managed well in order that people’s independence was promoted and they could safely enjoy participating in their chosen activities.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were being followed. The service ensured that people’s rights were protected by making sure they were represented appropriately.
People were supported to enjoy a nutritious diet that suited their needs and preferences.
Staff had a caring and reassuring approach. People’s privacy and dignity was upheld at all times. Relatives told us they felt involved in people’s care as appropriate.
People’s needs were assessed and care was planned and reviewed by involving people and their representatives. Staff had a good understanding of people as individuals and care was provided in a way that was tailored to individual needs and choices. For example, we saw people's meals were prepared in accordance with their plan of care and their food preferences were taken into account at the time each meal was made.
People were supported to be part of the community; they used local shops, attended day services, college, went bowling and, for the more adventurous, a sky diving activity had been arranged. Complaints procedures were clear and readily available. The service had received no concerns but many compliments from people, their staff and other groups that were surveyed.
A strong management team gave good leadership. The service had a registered manager and a team of senior staff. The provider, and the registered manager, had effective systems for checking and maintaining the quality of the service. The staff clearly understood and practised the provider’s standards and values. This was evident from the comments of relatives and care professionals. In addition, the service had recently been nominated for several awards in connection with the quality of the care provided and had been successful in winning some of these.