2 Windsor Avenue

Updated 15 May 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 26 March 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

The provider had informed us through the appropriate procedures that the registered manager was currently absent from work and a temporary manager was overseeing the day-to-day running of the service.

As part of this inspection, we spent time with people who used the service talking with them and observing support; this helped us understand their experience of using the service.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events, which the service is required to send to us by law.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection, we spoke with four people using the service and two relatives. We spoke with four care staff, the temporary manager and the area manager. We contacted health and social care professionals to gain their views of the service.

We also spent time looking at records, including four care records, medication administration procedures, staff training plans, compliments and complaints and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 15 May 2018

2 Windsor Avenue is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 2 Windsor Avenue is registered to accommodate five people with learning disabilities; at the time of our inspection there were five people living in the home.

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.

At the last inspection in March 2016 this service was rated good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Staff followed the procedures for safeguarding people from the risks of harm or abuse. Risk management plans were in place to safeguard people's personal safety and manage known environmental risks.

Staffing arrangements met people's individual support needs. The recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff were employed to work at the service. Medicines were appropriately managed and staff followed infection control procedures to reduce the risks of spreading infection or illness.

Staff had comprehensive induction training and on-going refresher training that was based on following current best practice. Staff supervision and appraisal systems ensured staff had regular opportunities to discuss and evaluate their learning and development needs and their work performance.

Staff supported people to follow a nutritious, varied and balanced diet. The staff supported people to access health appointments as required so that people's continuing healthcare needs were met.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) and ensured they gained people's consent before providing personal care. People were encouraged to be involved in decisions about their care and support and information was provided for people in line with the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).

People had their privacy, dignity and confidentiality maintained at all times. People experienced positive relationships with staff and received care that respected their diversity as staff supported people to maintain relationships with family and friends and make new friends. The care people received from staff was kind, caring and compassionate.

The provider operated an open and transparent culture. Quality assurance processes checked all aspects of the service. Events such as safeguarding matters, accidents and incidents had been reported to the CQC and other relevant agencies as required. Complaints brought to the provider's attention had been dealt with in accordance with the complaints procedure.