7 January 2016
During a routine inspection
Antelope Way provides accommodation and personal care for up to eight people who have a learning disability. There were eight people living at the home when we inspected. Accommodation is provided over two floors across an adjoining property. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and there are separate toilets and bathroom/shower facilities. There are two kitchens/dining areas and communal areas for people and their guests to use. People and their relatives also had access to the rear garden area.
This unannounced inspection was carried out on 7 January 2016. At the time of our inspection a registered manager was in place. 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 registered manager was due to retire at the end of January 2016. A peripatetic manager had been appointed and was working in the home until the recruitment of another manager
The CQC is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA including the DoLS. The provider could demonstrate how they supported people to make decisions about their care and where they were unable to do so they were in the process of completing assessments which were to be sent to the supervisory body.
People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff. People’s care was provided with kindness and patience and in a way which people preferred. People’s requests for assistance were responded to promptly.
Staff had been trained in medicines administration and safeguarding people from harm and were knowledgeable about how to ensure people’s safety. Medicines were stored correctly and records showed that people had received their medicines as prescribed.
Health care and support plans were in place although not all provided detailed information so that staff had clear guidance on how to meet people’s individual care needs. Risks to people who lived in the home were identified and assessed to enable people to live as safely and independently as possible.
Staff supported people with their personal care, medicines, activities/hobbies, cooking and domestic tasks in a cheerful and kind way.
Members of staff were trained to provide care which met people’s individual needs and wishes. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. They were supported by the manager to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge through supervision, and ongoing training.
Information on how to make a complaint was available for people and staff knew how to respond to any identified concerns or suggestions.
Arrangements were in place to ensure that the quality of the service provided for people was monitored and action had been taken when necessary.