This inspection took place on 24 September 2015 and was unannounced.
When we visited the home in January 2015 we found it was in breach of Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment and Regulation 17 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Good governance.
We found that the provider had designed a programme of improvement and changes had been implemented which had a positive impact on those people who used the service.
Manor House provides accommodation and personal care for up to ten people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders. On the day of the inspection five people were living at the home. 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.
At this inspection we found that people who used this service were safe. The care staff knew how to identify if a person may be at risk of harm and the action to take if they had concerns about a person’s safety.
The care staff knew the people they were supporting and the choices they had made about their care and their lives. People who used the service, and those who were important to them, were included in planning and agreeing to the care provided.
The decisions people made were respected. People were supported to maintain their independence and control over their lives. People received care from a team of staff who they knew and who knew them.
People were treated with kindness and respect. One person who used the service told us, “It really is very nice here.”
The registered manager used safe recruitment systems to ensure that new staff were only employed if they were suitable to work in people’s homes. The staff employed by the service were aware of their responsibility to protect people from harm or abuse. They told us they would be confident reporting any concerns to a senior person in the service or to the local authority or CQC.
There were sufficient staff, with appropriate experience, training and skills to meet people’s needs. The service was well managed and took appropriate action if expected standards were not met. This ensured people received a safe service that promoted their rights and independence.
Staff were well supported through a system of induction, training, supervision, appraisal and professional development. There was a positive culture within the service which was demonstrated by the attitudes of staff when we spoke with them and their approach to supporting people to maintain their independence.
The service was well-led. There was a comprehensive, formal quality assurance process in place. This meant that aspects of the service were formally monitored to ensure good care was provided and planned improvements and changes were implemented in a timely manner.
There were good systems in place for care staff or others to raise any concerns with the registered manager.