This unannounced inspection took place on 26 May 2015. We returned on 5 June 2015 with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter so we could speak to people using the service and staff.
Clearbury provides a long-term period of residential care with therapeutic support for up to four people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are either profoundly deaf or who have significant hearing loss and complex needs. At the time of our inspection there were three people living at Clearbury.
When we visited there was 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.
Medicines management had not always been effective, but had improved by time we returned on 5 June 2015.
People said they felt safe and staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report if concerns were raised. Risk management was important to ensure people’s safety. Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people’s freedom. People’s rights were protected because the home followed the appropriate processes.
People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences and their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. They were supported to maintain a balanced diet and encouraged to be involved in preparing meals with staff support. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the right care and treatment.
Staff relationships with people were strong, caring and supportive. Through our observations and discussions, we found that staff were motivated and inspired to offer care that was kind and compassionate.
Staffing arrangements, which included recruitment, were flexible in order to meet people’s individual needs. Staff received a range of training and regular support to keep their skills up to date in order to support people appropriately. Staff spoke positively about communication and how the manager worked well with them, encouraged team working and an open culture.
A number of effective methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received.