Joseph Gardens

Updated 20 October 2018

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.

The inspection took place on 25 September 2018 and was announced. We telephoned the service an hour before the inspection to let them know that we were coming, as this was a small service and we wanted to make sure that they were in. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

The individuals who lived in the service were not able to tell us about the support they received but we observed the interaction between staff and individuals. Following the site visit we spoke with a relative about their observations of the support provided.

We spoke with two care staff, the deputy manager and registered manager.

We reviewed two care plans, medication records and records of what people had eaten. We also reviewed quality monitoring records and records relating to the maintenance of the service and equipment.

Updated 20 October 2018

The inspection took place on 24 September 2018 and was announced as we wanted to be sure that people would be at the service when we visited. The service provides accommodation and care for up to two adults with learning disabilities. There were two people living at the service on the day of our inspection.

A registered manager was in post and present during the inspection. 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 registered manager is registered as manager of this service and another nearby service called Rascasse which is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People who lived in the service appeared happy and looked at ease with staff. They were not able to talk to us about the support they received so we observed their care and support and spoke with a relative who was positive about the service and the approach of staff.

Risks to individuals were assessed and there were systems in place to reduce the likelihood of injury. This included undertaking checks on equipment to ensure that it was safe to use. The building was well maintained and was comfortable and homely.

There were sufficient staff to meet the needs of the individuals who lived in the service. The staff team worked across two services and some concern was expressed to us by a relative about the impact this had on consistency. The manager told us that they were aware of this and had some staff who worked more regularly at this service.

Medicines were safely managed and people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff received training and support to enable them to meet the needs of the individuals they supported. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and there were systems in place to uphold people rights.

Individuals were supported to maintain a balanced diet and their dietary needs and preferences were identified and accommodated. Support was provided to access healthcare.

Staff demonstrated that they knew people well and supported people to maintain relationships with family members and to access the community on a regular basis.

Individual’s needs were identified and set out clearly in a support plan which was regularly reviewed and updated. Support plans provided information on events which could act as a trigger for an individual’s behaviour and set out how these events should be managed. The provider had a clinical team who worked with staff to reflect on individuals progress and how any issues could be addressed.

There were systems in place to support choice and decision making and people had access to a range of interesting and stimulating activities.

There was a clear procedure to address complaints and issues raised were promptly investigated.

Staff morale was good and staff were positive about the support they received from the management team. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and drive improvement.