People told us: 'We all get to choose the menu, we have a day each when we choose the main meal.' 'We don't have to have what's on the menu, we can have whatever we want.'
"I have what food I like, I get to pick what I want."
Staff told us and menus showed that one person chooses the main meal each day. We saw that people were offered a choice of what they wanted for drinks, breakfast and lunch.
People told us :'I chose the curtains, blinds and bed clothes for my bedroom. I go out shopping with staff to buy my clothes.'
"I get a choice of what I do. I picked the colour for my bedroom and chose all the things for my bedroom. I go shopping with staff for food and my clothes.'
We saw that people were well dressed in individual styles. Some people were wearing jewellery and had their nails painted, which they said they liked.
People said and we saw that where needed health professionals are involved in their care. We saw that staff follow their advice to ensure the health and well being of the people living there.
People told us they have a call bell so they can call staff when needed. They said that staff usually come to help them straightaway, unless they are helping someone else.
Some people attend college courses of their choice, some people attend day centres and others spend their days with the staff at the home.
We saw that people's activities were restricted because staff also support a person living in a supported living service. Staff and the people living there told us that the wishes of this person seem to take priority over the people at the home. People said, "We don't get to go on many outings because of the staffing." and " It's rare that we go out in the evenings because of staffing."
People told us that they felt safe living there and if they were being abused they would report it. They said that they were listened to by staff. Staff have training and know how to safeguard the people living there from harm.
The home was clean, well decorated and furnished. Some carpets were stained and not laid evenly, which could be a hazard to people. One person's shower chair was not suitable for them and had put them at risk of accidents. We were told after our visit that a more suitable one had been ordered.
People said, "The staff are alright,there are no staff that I don't like."
"All the staff are golden here."
People were concerned about the lack of female staff that are there to support them. There are six women and two men living at the home. They said, "Sometimes there is only one female staff with three or four male staff, it is not fair on them or us." "Sometimes I feel there are not enough females on shift. It means that when I need the toilet, male staff may help with hoisting me but don't help with wiping me or pulling my clothes down. It's not nice but I know it has to be. If a man had to shower me I would be very embarrassed." Staff said that one of the reasons for this is that the person in the supported living service chooses the staff they have and often this is female staff. It was clear that supporting another service had led to the people at the home not being supported appropriately in some aspects of their life. We were told after our visit that senior management were aware of this and are taking action to resolve it.
Staff said they were well supported and had the training they needed so they could support the people living there.
People told us they knew how to make a complaint if they were not happy.
Regular audits are done to esure the home is well run and meets the needs of the people living there. This has helped senior managers to identify the concerns raised by the people living there and staff and take action to resolve it.