Archived: 21 Shirlett Close

Updated 6 January 2017

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 took place on 30 June 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

There were four people who lived in the home when we visited. Some people who lived in the home had limited speech or were not able to communicate with us verbally. We spent time observing how people were cared for and how staff interacted with them, so we could get a view of the care they received. We spoke with one person who lived at the home.

When planning the inspection visit we reviewed information sent to us by the provider including statutory notifications. A statutory notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send to us by law. The provider had not needed to send any statutory notifications in the 12 months prior to our inspection. We contacted commissioners of the service. Commissioners are people who work to find appropriate care and support services which are paid for by the local authority or the NHS. They did not have any concerns about the service.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The information provided by the provider reflected what we found during our inspection.

We spoke with the registered manager and two care staff. We contacted two relatives of people who lived at the home to gain their views of the care provided to their family members.

We reviewed three people's care records to see how their support was planned and delivered. We reviewed three staff files and training records for all staff. We reviewed records of the checks the staff and management team made to assure themselves people received a quality service.

Updated 6 January 2017

This inspection took place on 30 June 2016 and was unannounced.

21 Shirlett Close provides residential care for up to four people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service is a single story building, with bedrooms and communal areas located on the ground floor. At the time of our inspection visit four people used the service.

A registered manager was 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.

Relatives told us 21 Shirlett Close was a safe place to live and people were well cared for. People were supported by staff who knew how to keep people safe and were aware of how to report any safeguarding concerns. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were assessed and staff were informed of how to minimise any identified risks. People received their medicines as prescribed from staff who had received training to do this safely and who had regular checks of their competencies.

There were enough staff to support people who lived in the home and they were available at the times people needed them. When staff were recruited to work at the home checks were carried out to ensure their suitability to work with people who lived there. Staff received training so that they had the skills and knowledge of how to meet the specific needs of people who lived at the home. Staff supported people to maintain their health and made referrals to healthcare professionals when needed.

People were supported in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. The manager understood the importance of applying for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) when necessary. Staff ensured they maintained people’s privacy and dignity, and treated people with compassion and respect.

People’s preferences were considered in all aspects of care they received. People were offered a choice of meals based on their preferences and dietary requirements. People were supported to pursue their individual hobbies and interests and to maintain relationships with people who were important to them.

People and relatives knew who the registered manager was and told us that they were approachable. Staff told us that they felt supported by the registered manager. People and their relatives knew how to raise complaints and were confident that the registered manager would take actions in response to these.

The registered manager and provider monitored the quality and safety of the service provided and actions were taken to drive forward improvements at the service.