This inspection visit took place on 17 November 2016. We last inspected the service in 2013 and found that the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations.
Simmins Crescent/Whitteney Drive provides accommodation for up to 15 adults who need personal care and support. The service provides care for people who have a learning disability and sensory impairment across three bungalows. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
There were systems in place to keep people safe. There were good systems for making sure that staff reported any allegation or suspicion of poor practice and staff were aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff were confident to report through safeguarding or whistleblowing procedures.
Potential risks to people had been assessed, such as risks associated with people's health conditions and the environment. Risk assessments were reviewed and updated to reflect changes in people's needs and abilities.
The provider had ensured that effective systems were in place to ensure medicines were stored, administered and managed in a consistent and safe manner.
Staff received training and support that provided them with the knowledge and skills required to provide people with effective care. We observed staff were confident and skilful in their interactions with people and demonstrated that they fully understood their roles and responsibilities.
People were supported to meet their healthcare and well-being needs and encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staff made appropriate use of a range of health professionals and followed their advice when provided.
We found the requirements to protect people under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards had been followed. Staff sought people's consent before supporting them and respected their right to decline care.
Throughout our inspection we saw examples of good care that helped to ensure people felt included and consulted in their care. People and, where appropriate, relatives were involved in the planning of the care. People were treated with dignity and respect and encouraged to maintain and develop their independence.
Staff working in the service understood the needs of the people who lived there. We saw that staff and people communicated well with each other and that people were enabled to make choices about how they lived their lives.
Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and demonstrated that they knew their likes, dislikes and interests. Care plans had been developed to focus on people as individuals and described their preferences, choices and how they wanted their care to be provided. People were provided with a range of activities to pursue their individual interests and hobbies.
The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care and provided clear leadership to the staff team. All areas of the service were quality assured through a series of internal audits. People, their relatives and staff were supported to share their views about the service and these were used to develop and bring about improvements within the service.