Limes Place

Updated 25 July 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care and support provided. We spoke with six members of staff including, the registered manager, performance and quality manager, a team leader and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and two staff recruitment records; a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including complaints records, meeting records and quality monitoring checks.

After the inspection

We received further information from the registered manager and provider to support the evidence we found.

Updated 25 July 2019

About the service

Limes Place is a purpose-built supported living setting, containing 11 single occupancy apartments. There is a shared communal lounge/dining room with kitchenette and separate staff offices. The service provides personal care and support for people with a mental illness. At the time of the inspection there were seven people accommodated at the service. Most people had transferred to Limes Place together, from a previously registered residential setting.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff had received training on safeguarding adults at risk. Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to do if they had any concerns. Recruitment practices made sure checks were carried out before staff started work, improvements were needed with records and these were put right. There were enough suitable staff available to provide care and support; staffing arrangements were kept under review.

Staff followed processes to manage people's medicines safely. Health and safety was generally monitored and risks to people's individual well-being were being assessed and managed. However, we found some improvements were needed. We have made a recommendation about assessing and managing risks.

Processes were in place to find out about people's backgrounds, their needs, abilities and choices before they used the service. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles. They were supported with their healthcare needs and medical appointments. Were appropriate, people were given support with meals and drinks, healthy eating was monitored and promoted. People had furnished and decorated their apartments in response individual tastes and needs. The provider ensured staff had access to training, development and supervision.

People made positive comments about the staff and managers. Staff interacted with people in a kind and friendly manner. Staff knew people well and were respectful of their choices and lifestyles. People's privacy and dignity was respected. People were enabled to be independent and develop their skills.

People received personalised care and support. They were supported as appropriate, to engage in community based and in-house activities. People had contact with families, friends and local acquaintances. Processes were in place to support people with making complaints.

Limes Place had a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. People were treated as partners in managing their individual support. Management and leadership arrangements supported the effective day to day running of the service. The provider used a range of systems and technology, to regularly monitor and improve the service. There were processes to consult with people, to monitor the quality of their experiences and make improvements.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 19 December 2018. This is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.