The inspection took place on 24 September 2015. The last inspection of this home was carried out on 7 August 2013. The service met the regulations we inspected against at that time.
Thorndale provides care and support for up to six people who have autism spectrum conditions. At the time of this visit six people were using the service. The accommodation was over three floors and consisted of six bedrooms. People had access to a communal lounge, kitchen and dining room.
The home is a semi-detached house in a residential area. The service is situated next door to another small care home and they are both managed by the same registered manager, who was present on the day of our visit.
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.
The people who lived at the home had complex needs which meant they were unable to express their views. Relatives made positive comments about the service. They described the service as safe. Relatives felt involved in decisions about their family members’ care.
Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and said they would speak up if they had any concerns. Any concerns had been investigated to make sure people were safe.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for people who lacked capacity to make a decision and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to make sure any restrictions were in people’s best interests. For example, all of the people who lived there need staff support and supervision when in the community because they had a limited understanding of road safety.
Medicines were managed in a safe way and records were up to date with no gaps or inaccuracies. A signature chart was in place so records could be audited.
There were enough staff to make sure people were supported. Staff training was up to date and staff received regular supervisions and appraisals.
People were supported to enjoy an active lifestyle and eat healthily. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible, and were supported to do household tasks and take part in activities they enjoyed.
Care plans reflected the interests of individuals, and were person-centred and well written.
Relatives felt fully involved in reviews about their family member’s care. Relatives felt staff understood each person and supported them in a way that met their specific needs. People’s choices were respected, and each person had a range of activities they could take part in.
Relatives knew how to make a complaint and felt that complaints would be taken seriously, although no complaints had been made in the past year.
We saw that systems were in place for recording and managing safeguarding concerns, complaints, and accidents and incidents. Detailed records were kept along with any immediate action taken which showed the service took steps to learn from such events, and put measures in place to reduce the risk of them happening again.
Relatives felt the home was well run. One relative told us, “Staff care about the residents and offer help and support to the parents and family members as well.”