Archived: Linby Drive

Updated 28 September 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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.

We visited the service on 16 July 2015, this was an unannounced inspection. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors. Prior to our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included information received about the service and statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). 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. We also reviewed the most recent report from the commissioners (who fund the care for some people) of the service.

During our inspection we spoke with two people who were using the service, three relatives, two members of care staff, the cook, a representative of the provider and the registered manager. We also observed the way staff cared for and interacted with service users in the communal areas of the building. We looked at the care plans of two people and any associated records such as incident records. We looked at four staff files as well as a range of records relating to the running of the service, such as audits, maintenance records and six medication administration records.

Updated 28 September 2015

This inspection took place on 16 July 2015 and was unannounced. Linby Drive provides accommodation and personal care for up to eight people with autism and learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection seven people were using the service.

The service 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.

Staff ensured people were safe living at the care home and understood their responsibilities to protect people from the risk of abuse. Action was taken following any incidents to try and reduce the risks of incidents happening again. People received their medicines as prescribed and they were safely stored.

People were supported by a sufficient number of staff and staffing levels were flexible to meet people’s needs. Effective recruitment procedures were operated to ensure staff were safe to work with vulnerable adults.

Staff were provided with a wide range of knowledge and skills to care for people effectively and staff felt supported by the registered manager. People received support from health care professionals when needed. People had access to sufficient quantities of food and drink and were able to choose the food they wanted.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the use of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). We found this legislation was being used correctly to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received. We also found staff were aware of the principles within the MCA and how this might affect the care they provided to people.

Positive and caring relationships had been developed between people and staff and staff had developed individualised communication techniques. Staff ensured people’s views were taken into account when making decisions about their care. People were supported to make day to day choices. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy was respected.

People were provided with care that was responsive to their changing needs and personal preferences. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible. There was a comprehensive and individually tailored programme of activities available. Staff took pride in the achievements people made. There was a clear complaints procedure in place and any complaints received had been appropriately responded to.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and these were well utilised and resulted in improvements being made. The registered manager led by example and staff felt able to speak with them about any concerns. There was an open and honest culture in the home.