Imber House

Updated 19 December 2018

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 was carried out by one inspector on 15 October 2018 and was unannounced.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the contents of notifications received from the service. Services have to notify us of certain incidents that occur in the service, these are called notifications.

Some people using the service were unable to communicate their views about the care they received. We carried out observations to assess their experiences throughout our inspection. We spoke with three people using the service, two relatives, two care staff and the provider.

We reviewed three care records, two staff personnel files and records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 19 December 2018

Imber House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Imber is registered to provide personal care to a maximum of six people with a learning disability. At the time of inspection there were six people using the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS.) People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe living in the service and that staff made them feel safe. Risks to people were appropriately planned for and managed. Medicines were stored, managed and administered safely.

Checks were carried out to ensure that the environment and equipment remained safe. The service was clean and measures were in place to limit the risk of and spread of infection.

People and their relatives told us there were enough suitably knowledgeable staff to provide people with the care they required. Staff had received appropriate training and support to carry out their role effectively.

People received appropriate support to maintain healthy nutrition and hydration. They were supported to participate in preparing their meals according to their abilities.

People told us staff were nice to them. Relatives told us staff respected their family member’s right to privacy and that staff supported people to remain independent. Our observations supported this.

People and their relatives were encouraged to feed back on the service in a number of different ways and participate in meetings to shape the future of the service. People and their relatives told us they knew how to complain.

People received personalised care that met their individual needs and preferences. People and their relatives were actively involved in the planning of their care. People were supported to access meaningful activities and follow their individual interests.

The provider created a culture of openness and transparency within the service. Staff told us that the provider was visible in the service and led by example. Our observations supported this.

There was a robust quality assurance system in place and shortfalls identified were promptly acted on to improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.