Haven House provides residential care for eight people with a range of learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.The inspection took place on 13 April 2016 and was unannounced.
The home had a registered manager. 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.
There were sufficient staff deployed in the home. Staffing numbers were flexible to ensure people’s individual needs were met. There were enough staff to enable people to go out and to support the people who remained at home.
Staff had a clear understanding of how to safeguard people and knew what steps they should take if they suspected abuse. There was an effective recruitment process followed which helped ensure that only suitable staff were employed.
Risk assessments were in place and reviewed regularly to ensure people were supported safely. Environmental risks were appropriately controlled and routine maintenance and checks were completed.
Medicines were managed well and records showed that people received their medicines in accordance with prescription guidance. People were supported to maintain good health and had regular access to a range of healthcare professionals.
People told us that the quality of food and portion size was good. People were supported to maintain a healthy diet. Where people required support to eat, this was provided in a dignified and unhurried way.
Staff received necessary training and support to enable them to do their jobs. There were monitoring tools in place to ensure that training, supervisions and appraisals were kept up to date.
We saw positive interactions between staff and people. Staff had a good understanding of people’s legal rights and took time to gain consent from people.
Each person had an individualised plan of care which gave details of their preferences and needs. Staff knew people well and approached them with kindness. People’s dignity and privacy was respected. Systems were in place to support individual communication styles.
There were a range of activities for people to participate in which were personalised to people’s individual preferences. People were supported to maintain relationships which were important to them and relatives told us they were made to feel welcome when they visited.
People and their relatives spoke highly of the registered manager who they said was approachable. Feedback was sought from people regarding the quality of the service and action was taken to address any concerns raised. A complaints policy was in place and people told us they would feel comfortable in raising any concerns.