We carried out this inspection on 26 November 2015. This inspection was unannounced.The service met the regulations we inspected at their last inspection which took place on 8 November 2013.
9 Rosslyn Crescent is a care home registered for four people with a learning disability located in the London Borough of Brent. During the day of this inspection the home had two vacancies. The home is part of a national provider Voyage.
The service has 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.
The building was not always well maintained and redecorated and some improvements were needed to the maintenance of the décor, furnishings, carpets and window frames.
We found people were cared for by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff who knew their needs well. People were supported to follow their own chosen routines and to take part in activities they liked, such as swimming, visiting places of worship, walking and Art.
The service showed good practice in supporting people with their physical and mental health needs and in making decisions for themselves.
The Registered Manager had been trained to understand when applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations should be made, and in how to submit one. We found the location to be meeting the requirements of the DoLS.
We found people were cared for, or supported by, sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.
Medicines were managed safely and staff received training in the safe administration of medicines.
Suitable arrangements were in place and people were provided with a choice of healthy food and drink ensuring their nutritional needs were met.
People’s physical health was monitored as required. This included the monitoring of people’s health conditions and symptoms so appropriate referrals to health professionals could be made.
People’s needs were assessed and care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual care needs and staff knew people well. The care plans included risk assessments. Staff had good relationships with the people living at the home and the atmosphere was happy and relaxed.
We observed interactions between staff and people living in the home and staff were kind and respectful to people when they were supporting them. Staff were aware of the values of the service and knew how to respect people’s privacy and dignity. People were supported to attend meetings where they could express their views about the home.
A wide range of activities were provided both in-house and in the community. We saw people were involved and consulted about all aspects of the service including what improvements they would like to see and suggestions for activities. Staff told us people were encouraged to maintain contact with friends and family.
The registered manager investigated and responded to people’s complaints, according to the provider’s complaints procedure.
There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. We saw copies of reports produced by the registered manager which included action planning to make improvements to the service. Staff were supported to raise matters to do with the service when they felt there could be improvements and they told us there was an open and honest culture in the home.
We found one breach of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.