Archived: Denmark House

Updated 2 December 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 checked 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.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 27 September and 4 October 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

This service was last inspected in June 2015 and was rated as Good. 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. We also reviewed other information we held about the service and provider as well as previous inspection reports.

We were unable to talk to people due to their complex needs; however we observed how staff interacted with the people who lived in the home. We talked with three staff members, the deputy manager and the registered manager. After the inspection we spoke with six people’s relatives by telephone and heard from two health care professionals.

We looked at the care records of three people and records which related to staffing including their recruitment procedures and the training and development of staff. We inspected the most recent records relating to the management of the home including quality assurance reports.

Updated 2 December 2017

Denmark House is a care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to six people with an autistic spectrum disorder or learning disability. The home specifically supports young men who are autistic and are known to behave in ways others may perceive as challenging. There were six people living in the home at the time of our inspection. The home has six self-contained one bedroom flats, with a communal lounge and dining room and secure back garden.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

This inspection took place 27 September and 4 October 2017 and was unannounced. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Staff were skilled in supporting people, whose behaviour could put themselves or others at risk, to live independent meaningful full lives. Staff used personalised strategies to support people to manage their emotions. We found examples of how this approach had enhanced people’s wellbeing and resulted in positive engagements with their local community. Staff had considered people’s preferences and past histories when putting strategies in place to help them develop at a pace that was comfortable for them. It was evident that people had progressed in the management of their own emotions and behaviours.

People were supported by enough staff to allow them to safely access activities in the community to carry out activities, attend events and maintain frequent contact with their families. Relatives highly praised the caring nature of the staff team. They stated the progress of their family member’s was as a result of the commitment and approach of the staff at Denmark House.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s risks had been assessed and were being managed based in their individual needs. Staff were aware of the management of people’s physical and emotional risks. They had been trained to support people in the least restrictive way and ensure people were protected from abuse and harm. Staff felt trained and supported to carry out their role. They praised the management and running of the home. Effective recruitment procedures were in place and being followed to ensure people were cared for by staff who were of good character.

Safe management of people’s medicines were in place. People enjoyed a balanced diet at home and in the community. Staff helped people to monitor their health and well-being needs and referred them to health care services as needed. People’s care records provided staff with the information they needed to support people and manage their risks and needs. Health care professionals were positive about the knowledge and dedication of staff and the managers.

The registered manager and deputy manager were committed in providing effective care for people with complex needs. Systems and polices were in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. Relatives felt comfortable about raising concerns with the senior team.