We carried out an unannounced inspection of the service on 22 February 2017 and returned on 1 March 2017 announced. 2-4 Watcombe Circus provides accommodation and personal care for up to 12 people living with learning disabilities and an autistic spectrum disorder. On the first day of our inspection there were 12 living at the service and 11 people on the second day.
2-4 Watcombe Circus is required to have 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. At the time of the inspection the registered manager was in post. They were available for the first day of our inspection but not the second day.
Some concerns were identified with the health and safety of the environment which the provider took immediate action to address. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 was not fully adhered to.
Staff were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff had received adult safeguarding training.
Risks associated to people’s needs had been assessed and planned for and were regularly reviewed. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored and action was taken to reduce further reoccurrence.
There were sufficient and experienced staff available to meet people’s individual needs and safety.
Safe recruitment practices meant as far as possible only suitable staff were employed.
Staff received an induction, training and appropriate support. People received sufficient to eat and drink and their nutritional needs had been assessed and planned for. People received a choice of meals and independence was promoted.
Staff had a good understanding and awareness of meeting people’s healthcare needs. People's healthcare needs had been assessed and were regularly monitored. The provider worked with healthcare professionals to ensure they provided an effective and responsive service.
Staff were kind, caring and respectful towards the people they supported. They had a person centred approach and a clear understanding of people's individual needs, routines and what was important to them. However, people’s individual communication needs were not consistently met.
People were involved as fully as possible in their care and support. People had information to inform them of independent advocacy services.
People were supported to participate in activities, interests and hobbies of their choice. Staff promoted people’s independence. A complaints policy and procedure was available and people knew how to make a complaint if required.
The provider enabled people who used the service and their relatives to share their experience about the service provided.
The provider had checks in place that monitored the quality and safety of the service. These included daily, weekly and monthly audits. In addition the provider had further systems in place that provided monitoring of the service. However, these were not as effective as they should have been; shortfalls identified at this inspection had not been identified.
A registered manager was in post. Statutory notifications had not been sent to the CQC when required.