Dimensions 21 Searing Way

Updated 3 May 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 was a comprehensive inspection and took place on 27 February and 2 March 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an inspection manager.

Before the inspection we reviewed information we had about the service, this included previous inspection reports and notifications the provider sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return. 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.

During the inspection we spoke with four staff members, an external professional and the registered manager. Following the inspection we spoke with a four relatives and received written feedback from four professionals. Not everyone was able to fully share with us their experiences of life at the service, therefore we spent time observing staff interactions with them, and the care provided by staff.

We reviewed records which included three people's care plans, four recruitment and supervision records for staff, the provider's policies and procedures, incident reports, staff training records, staff rotas and quality assurance processes and procedures.

At the last comprehensive inspection of 19 January 2015 the service was rated as 'Good' overall.

Updated 3 May 2018

Dimensions 21 Searing Way is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Dimensions 21 Searing Way provides accommodation and personal care to a maximum of five people who live with a learning disability, autism and/or associated health needs, who may experience behaviours that challenge staff. At the time of the inspection there were five people living at the home.

The inspection took place on 27 February 2018 and was unannounced. Which meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Policies, procedures and staff training were in place to protect people from avoidable harm and

abuse. Staff had identified risks to people and these were managed safely. Recruitment

processes were followed to ensure suitable staffing levels and the provider had thorough pre-employment checks in place to determine prospective candidates’ character and skills. This was to ensure staff were suitable to support people with a learning disability. Where agency staff were used the provider ensured people received good consistency and continuity of care by deploying the same staff. Arrangements were in place to receive, record, store and handle medicines safely and securely.

People were cared for by staff who had received appropriate training, support and supervision in their role. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were supported to eat and drink sufficiently for their needs. Staff supported people to see a range of healthcare professionals in order to maintain good health and wellbeing.

Staff treated people with kindness and compassion, they cared about people. Staff supported

people to make choices about their lives. Staff treated people with respect and upheld their dignity

and human rights when delivering their care.

People had a comprehensive assessment of their support needs and guidelines were produced for staff about how to meet their individual needs and preferences. Support plans were reviewed with people and their families and relevant changes made where needed. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible. Activities that were appropriate to each person were offered and encouraged. Processes were in place to enable people to make complaints and these were responded to appropriately.

The service had clear and effective governance in place. The provider encouraged people, their families, staff and professionals to be actively involved in the development and continuous improvement of the home. The provider had robust quality assurance systems which were operated across all levels of the service. Staff had worked effectively in partnership with other agencies to promote positive outcomes for people.

Further information is in the detailed findings below