Larksfield Transitions Unit - Wisbech is a supported living unit which is registered to provide personal care for people living in their own home. The service provides rehabilitation and support to people who are aiming to move on to more independent living. At the time of our inspection there were eight people using the service. The service is located in the town of Wisbech close to local shops, amenities and facilities. This announced inspection took place on 16 February 2016.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 service used robust recruitment procedures to make sure that people were supported by staff with the right skills. There were enough staff to support people and to help them access the community. An effective induction process was in place to support new staff in their role.
Staff received regular medicines’ administration training and an assessment of their competency to do this safely. Staff had a good knowledge and understanding of the application of safeguarding procedures to protect people from harm.
The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and to report on what we find. The registered manager and staff had a thorough understanding about determining people’s mental capacity and what this meant for each person. People’s care was provided where it was in their best interests.
Staff regularly sought assurance as to people’s wellbeing and were attentive to their needs. Staff knew what was meaningful and important to people. People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff.
People, their relatives and advocates, were involved in planning their care. People’s care plans and records were regularly reviewed and updated accordingly. The registered manager provided people with information on accessing independent advocacy if any person required this support.
People were supported with their health needs by healthcare professionals with the right skills, such as occupational therapists, to make a difference to people’s lives. Prompt action was taken in response to the people’s changing health care needs.
Risk assessments to help safely support people with risks to their health were in place and these were kept under review according to each person’s needs.
People were supported with healthy food and lifestyle choices. People had access to sufficient quantities of food, drinks and snacks. Diets according to people’s health conditions were available and provided.
Staff responded promptly to the suggestions, comments or concerns people raised about issues which affected their day-to-day life at the service.
A range of effective audit and quality assurance procedures were in place. These were used as a means of identifying areas for improvement and also where good practice had been established. Information was shared through a range of forums including residents’, managers’ and staff meetings.
Staff were supported with their personal development by managers who kept themselves aware of the day to culture in the service. The registered manager supported staff as well as engaging with people and their relatives on a regular basis. This was to achieve the best possible outcome for each person.