We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 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 2012 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service. This inspection was unannounced.
Warminster Road is a supported living service that can accommodate up to nine people. Supported living services are where people live in their own accommodation and can receive care and/or support in order to promote their independence. This service provides support to people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and behaviours which may challenge the services they require. People who use this service had their own flat and received 24 hour support. As a supported living service the provider is not required to be registered with us for the accommodation because people were living in their own flats. They are however registered to deliver personal care to people.
At our previous inspection in April 2013, we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.
There was no registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. However, a new manager had been appointed and was in the process of applying to register. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.
People told us they felt safe using the service. Staff were trained in safeguarding adults and the service had policies and procedures in place to ensure that the service responded appropriately to allegations or suspicions of abuse. The service ensured that people’s human rights were respected and took action to assess and minimise risks to people. Staff had received training on behaviour that may challenge and the service consulted with other professionals about managing aspects of behaviour safely.
All of the people we spoke with said that staff were approachable, they could chat with the staff and that they were listened to. Throughout our inspection we observed that staff were caring and attentive to people. Staff showed dignity and respect and demonstrated a good understanding of people’s needs.
There were enough qualified and skilled staff at the service. Staffing was managed flexibly to suit people's needs so that people received their care when they needed and wanted it. Staff had access to information, support and training that they needed to do their jobs well. The provider’s training programme was designed to meet the needs of people using the service so that staff had the specialist knowledge they required to care for people effectively. People were provided with a range of activities in and outside the service which met their individual needs and interests. The service supported people to be as independent as possible. People were encouraged to build and develop their independent living skills both in the service and in the community.
Care plans contained information about the health and social care support people needed and records showed they were supported to access other professionals when required.
People were involved in making decisions about their care. They agreed to the level of support they needed and how they wished to be supported. Where people's needs changed, the provider responded and reviewed the care provided.
People using the service and staff told us they found the manager to be approachable and accessible. We observed an open and inclusive atmosphere in the service and the manager led by example.
Staff were happy working for the service and motivated to provide person centred care.
The provider had a number of audits and quality assurance programmes in place. These included action plans so the provider could monitor whether necessary changes were made and ensure high standards were being maintained.
The service had effective procedures for reporting and investigating incidents and accidents. There were systems to learn from incidents and adverse events and protect people from the risks of similar events happening again.