Abelands

Updated 25 July 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection was a comprehensive inspection which took place on 30 April 2018 and was announced. The last inspection was on 01 December 2015 and we had no concerns. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location was a small care home for younger adults who are often out during the day. We needed to be sure that they would be available to talk with us.

The inspection team included an inspector and an inspection manager. We spoke to the registered manager, six members of staff, two relatives and five people who live at the home. We completed observations in communal areas throughout the inspection, pathway tracked the care of two people and reviewed records including; accident and incident logs, quality assurance records, compliments and complaints, policies and procedures, two positive behaviour plans, two records relating to care and two records relating to staffing.

Before the inspection, we reviewed information relating to the home including correspondence from people, professionals, and notifications sent to us by the registered manager. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We also used information the provider sent to us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We requested the registered manager send documents relating to one person’s care plan and positive behaviour plan after the inspection which they did in the requested timeframe.

Updated 25 July 2018

Abelands is a residential care home registered for nine people living with a learning disability, complex needs, autism, sensory impairment or mental health conditions. At this inspection on 30 April 2018, there were eight young men living at the home. The registered manager said it was “not planned to be all male but has evolved that way”. Accommodation is a mixture of individual rooms with en-suites and self-contained premises. 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. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection on 01 December 2015, we rated the service good. At this announced inspection on 30 April 2018, 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.

Systems and processes were in place to safeguard people from abuse. Staff had a good understanding of the signs of abuse. Accidents and incidents continued to be recorded and analysed and action taken to improve and learn when issues were identified. Risks, including risks from medicines and behaviour that could challenge, continued to be identified and action taken to reduce these. People were supported to take positive risks which improved their quality of life. For example, one person with complex needs could not go out into the community at a previous home. Staff worked with the person to understand their needs, risks and supported them in managing their behaviour. This person can now access the community safely with the support of staff which has had a positive impact on their life.

People's care was provided in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and staff understood the importance of gaining appropriate consent for care and treatment. Staff were knowledgeable and trained to meet the needs of people living at the home. Assessments of people's needs were in place and included assessments of any health-related needs as well as any behavioural needs. People's dietary needs continued to be met and any specific dietary needs were identified. When people required healthcare from other professionals this was arranged to ensure people received timely support. One person was supported to have their blood taken in a way that supported their needs and reduced their anxiety. The bloods were taken at the home in a safe environment for the person and a member of staff had their blood taken to show the person what would happen. This reduced their anxiety and ensured they had access to the healthcare they required.

Staff continued to have a caring approach with people and understood them well. Staff promoted people’s independence and respected their individuality. One relative said of their son, “He has been given independence by living at Abelands and is able to take opportunities to broaden his horizons. Abelands has given us all a life it has changed the whole family’s life in a positive way.” People were supported to be actively involved in decisions about their care, support and wellbeing. People’s privacy and dignity continued to be respected. People were protected from discrimination. One relative said “‘My son is treated fairly, there is no discrimination at Abelands. Everyone is accepted for who they are.” Staff respected people’s human rights, equality and diversity. Staff gave us examples of how they supported people’s diverse needs including those related to disability and sexual orientation. One staff member said, “people are supported to express their feelings and we discuss topics such as sexuality and gender at resident’s meetings.”

People's care and support reflected their interests. It was clear what their preferences were and what was important to them. People and where appropriate, their relatives, were involved in making decisions about their care. Care was very responsive to people’s changing needs. For example, one person ‘bounced’ as part of their behaviour. Staff looked at ways they could support the person to do this safely by adapting the environment and reinforcing the ceiling rather than stopping them from doing this. The manager provided guidance to help staff understand this behaviour, this ensured staff could respond to this person’s needs safely.

Systems and processes were in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the care provided at the home. Staff continued to work in partnership with other health and social care professionals to meet the needs of people. People, their relatives and staff had opportunities to engage and be involved in the development of the service. The management team lead by example and promoted an inclusive ethos within the home. People spoke positively about the management of the home. A relative said, “The management team run the home well and are very involved with the staff and people living there. They are very helpful and understanding.”

Further information is in the detailed findings below