The inspection was carried out on 13 July 2016 and was unannounced.Hall Bank mews is registered to provide accommodation with personal care needs to nine people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. There were nine people living at the home on the day of the inspection.
There was a registered manager in post who was present during the inspection. 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 felt people were safe and well looked after by staff. Staff were knowledgeable about the different forms and signs of abuse and who to report concerns to. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing had been assessed and guidelines had been put in place to minimise the risks without restricting people from doing things they wanted to do.
There were enough staff to support people’s health and social needs. The provider had checks in place to ensure that potential new employees were suitable to work with people who lived at the home.
People were given their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were stored securely and accurate records maintained. Staff monitored people’s health and arranged healthcare appointments as and when required.
Staff sought people’s consent before supporting them. Staff provided people with information in the way they could understand to enable them to make decisions for themselves. Where people were unable to make certain decisions these were made for them by people they knew well to ensure their human rights were protected.
People were supported to plan and prepare meals. People’s nutritional needs were routinely assessed, monitored and reviewed to ensure their nutritional needs were met. People were provided with equipment to enable them to feed themselves independently. Where people required support to eat this was provided in a patient and dignified way.
People were supported by staff who were kind and respectful towards them. Staff promoted people’s dignity and independence. People were encouraged to form and maintain relationships with friends and relatives who were important to them.
People received personalised care and support that was tailored to their individual needs and preferences. People were provided with opportunities to do things they enjoyed and to broaden their life and social skills. People were actively encouraged to follow their faith.
People and their relatives had not had cause to complain but were confident that should the need arise their concerns would be dealt with promptly. The provider had a complaints procedure that was available in different formats.
Relatives found the registered manager and staff easy to talk and were impressed with how the home was run. They felt there was a good atmosphere at the home and were always made to feel welcome when they visited.
The registered manager had a clear vision for the service which was shared by staff. There was a positive working culture at the home where staff felt well supported and valued. Staff and management were motivated to provide a good quality service and to enable people to achieve their full potential.
The provider had a range of checks in place to ensure people’s health and wellbeing. They actively encouraged feedback from people, relatives and staff and used the information gathered to make improvements in the service.