Raymond Avenue is a ‘care home’ for eight people with learning disabilities and/or autism. There were eight people living in the home when we visited. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.The Care Service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion.At our last inspection in December 2015 we rated the service as ‘good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People told us and we observed that they were happy about living in the home. Relatives and healthcare professionals were equally positive. One relative told us, “They [the staff] know [person’s name] as well as I do.” One healthcare professional told us, “The staff are experienced in managing complex service users based on their care needs. The team always act upon any issues I raise.”
Staff had a shared understanding of people’s needs and were motivated by their work. One member of staff told us, “The staff work well as a team here; they are motivated. Caring is done for the support you give and not for the financial reward. I would place a family member here.”
Staff had a good understanding of how to protect people from abuse and risks and worked well as a team to help people with behaviours that can be challenging to others. People’s medicines were managed so that they receive them safely and on time.
There was sufficient staff to ensure people were safe and the staff team were recruited safely and trained to ensure they were suitable and had the right skills to meet people’s needs. People were treated with respect and were encouraged to become as independent as possible, as well as accessing the local community on a daily basis.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were encouraged to take part in making decisions about how the house was run.
The registered manager and senior managers knew people’s needs and this enabled them to offer the right support, guidance and resources to the staff team. Managers reflected on lessons learnt when things went wrong and took prompt action to implement new plans and support for people.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.