About the serviceThe Grove is a care home that provides a short-break service for up to eight to people with learning and physical disabilities. Two rooms at the service that can accommodate people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs. At the time of the inspection 61 people used the service at least once during the year. People’s visits range from a couple of days to a week-long stay. The home can also provide a crisis service for people who may need to stay somewhere for a little longer.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they enjoyed their visits to the service and felt staff ensured they had an enjoyable holiday. They described how staff knew them well, provided them with all the support they needed and how this was the best short-break service they had used.
The registered manager and staff consistently demonstrated they valued and respected the people who used the service. The staff were passionate about supporting people to enjoy their stay and have a holiday experience. The staff team consistently considered how to enhance people’s lives whilst they stayed at the home and offered a wide range of activities and outings for people to go on.
Staff were committed to delivering a service which was person-centred. Some people used Makaton and other sign language, but communication plans did not contain information about what signs meant. The registered manager stated they would ask families to help staff produce dictionaries of what signs meant for the person.
The registered manager planned bookings in advance and co-ordinated them to reflect people were compatible and there were enough staff on duty. The staffing levels were increased or decreased in line with the number of people at the service and their needs.
Staff took steps to safeguard vulnerable adults and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt, which helped to keep people safe. People's support needs were thoroughly assessed and reviewed prior to each visit to ensure the information the home held remained accurate.
Staff actively promoted equality and diversity within the home. Staff respected people’s cultural and religious beliefs and practices. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff supported people to manage their healthcare needs and promoted their wellbeing. When necessary, external professionals were involved in individuals care. The staff supported people to eat varied, appetizing meals. Medicine was administered in a safe manner.
Thorough checks were completed prior to staff being employed to work at the service. Staff had received appropriate training and supervision. The provider had enabled staff to access a varied and extensive range of condition specific training. The staff had found the training they received assisted them to significantly improve people’s quality of life but felt they would benefit from more practical training around working with people who displayed distress behaviours and sign language. The regional manager immediately put measures in place to support staff access this training.
People’s voices were of paramount importance in the service. The registered manager understood how to investigate and resolve complaints.
The service was well run. Systems were in place which effectively monitored how the service operated and ensured staff delivered appropriate care and treatment.
For more details, please see the full report which is on CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
Good (report published 8 August 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.