This inspection took place on 18 August 2016. This was an unannounced inspection. At the time of our last inspection in August 2013, Rivendell and Lorien was found to be meeting all of the essential standards relating to the quality and safety of care.
Rivendell and Lorien provides accommodation and personal care for up to 10 people who require specialist support relating to their learning and physical disabilities. The location comprises of two separate bungalows which sit side by side. Each bungalow has the capacity to accommodate five people. At the time of our inspection, both bungalows were fully occupied meaning there were 10 people living at the home.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
The service was not always safe because staff had not always recognised the need to raise a safeguarding alert with the local authority, to ensure that people were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm.
People were supported by enough members of staff who had been safely recruited and received adequate training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills they required to do their job effectively.
People received care and support with their consent, where possible and people’s rights were protected because key processes had been fully followed to ensure people were not unlawfully restricted. They were also supported by staff who protected their privacy and dignity.
People’s nutritional needs were assessed and monitored to identify any risks associated with nutrition and hydration and they had food they enjoyed.
People were supported to maintain good health because staff worked closely with other health and social care professionals when necessary. People received their prescribed medicines as required.
People were supported by staff that were very kind and caring and that were dedicated and committed to getting to know people well, to ensure they received the care they wanted based on their personal preferences, likes and dislikes.
People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and were supported to express their views in all aspects of their lives including the care and support that was provided to them, as far as reasonably possible.
The service was very responsive because people and their relatives felt involved in the planning and review of their care because staff communicated with them in ways they could understand.
People were encouraged to engage in activities that they enjoyed and were supported to maintain positive relationships with their friends and relatives.
The service was very well led because the provider had clear visions and values that promoted a positive, person-centred culture within the home. Staff felt supported and appreciated in their work and reported the provider to have an open and honest leadership culture.
Relatives and staff reported the registered manager to be dedicated and committed to providing a high quality service.
The management team endeavoured to improve and develop the service and therefore had systems in place to assess and constantly monitor the quality of the service. People were encouraged to offer feedback on the quality of the service and knew how to complain.