About the service:

1 Ratcliffe Road is located in Solihull in the West Midlands. It is a semi detached house and is run as an ordinary domestic household. It is registered to provide accommodation to one person and there was one person living at the service at the time of our inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

The person felt safe living at the home. The building was a family home the registered provider shared with the person they supported. We found it had been maintained, was homely and a safe place for people to live.

The registered provider was the person's carer. They did not employ any staff. Suitable arrangements were in place to protect the person and keep them safe.

The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their life and they were supported in the least restrictive way possible. The provider respected and understood the person’s right to privacy and promoted their independence. The person chose to pursue a variety of hobbies and interests at home and in their local community.

The provider showed respect and kindness towards the person. The person was involved in making decisions about their care. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and we saw the person was comfortable in the environment. The provider knew how the person preferred their care and support to be provided.

The person’s nutritional needs were met and they chose what they would like to eat and drink. They were supported to maintain their health and well-being and the provider knew when to refer to other health professionals.

There were good opportunities for the person to discuss any concerns or ideas that they had about the service. The person had an advocate and knew how to make a complaint.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published 01 April 2016)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. Ongoing monitoring included information that quality had improved. We checked this in looking at the quality and safety of the service.

Follow up: The next scheduled inspection will be in keeping with the overall rating. We will continue to monitor information we receive from and about the service. We may inspect sooner if we receive concerning information about the service.

The inspection took place on 18 February 2016. It was announced because the location is a small care home for one person who was often out during the daytime. We needed to be sure they would be in to talk with us about their home.

1 Ratcliffe Road is located in Solihull in the West Midlands. It is registered to provide accommodation to one person and there was one person living at the service at the time of our inspection. There was a communal lounge and kitchen area. The person had their own bedroom.

The person felt safe living at the home. Risk assessments were in place to minimise the risks to the person’s safety and the provider had a good understanding of how to minimise risks. Records we looked at were up to date. Medicines were stored safely and securely. The person received their medicines as prescribed from the trained provider.

The provider understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure the person was supported in a way that did not restrict their freedom.

The provider showed respect and kindness towards the person. The person was involved in making decisions about their care and how the home was run. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and we saw the person was comfortable in the environment.

The provider knew how the person preferred their care and support to be provided. This was reflected in the person’s personalised care plan. The provider respected and understood the person’s right to privacy and promoted their independence. The person chose to pursue a variety of hobbies and interests at home home and in their local community.

The person’s nutritional needs were met and they chose what they would like to eat and drink. They were supported to maintain their health and well-being and the provider knew when to refer to other health professionals.

There were good opportunities for the person to discuss any concerns or ideas that they had about the service. The person had an advocate and knew how to make a complaint. Systems to drive forward improvement and monitor the quality of the service were in place.

We contacted the home to make sure both people were in before visiting. The person being supported was about to go out for a regular social event, so we called the following morning. The person being supported answered the door and let us in as they knew we were expected. They appeared confident and able to answer questions. Their answers confirmed they were content. They said they went out independently to familiar local places and went out with the care worker to places further afield.

They used regular bus services, had their own key, were happy with regular routines and had variety in their day to day activities. The phone rang while we were there. The person being supported answered it and then passed it on to the care worker as it was a caller they were not familiar with.

We last visited this service in August 2012. The circumstances were very much the same as then. This time we looked at care and welfare to confirm the needs of the person being supported by the carer were still being met. We saw the person continued to be well supported. We were told social services had visited recently to review the care. There was a brief information sheet available with contact details, emergency procedures and details of basic support needs.

We met the person who lives at and is supported at the home. They had just returned from being out by themselves. They appeared relaxed and comfortable, but possibly a little wary of an unfamiliar visitor.

They were able to speak for themselves, but happy to let the carer do most of the talking. They were smart and well presented.

The person was able to tell us about choices of food and leisure activities they made. We asked the person what they thought would make the life better and they said '"we need a break." The provider told us that they were hoping to go on holiday for a break in June. The person smiled and agreed.

The person indicated that they were happy to go to the doctor when necessary. They indicated that they were happy to have check ups to identify any problems they may have early on.

We spoke to the social worker that reviewed the care of the person. They told us that the provider was "very open." They "cooperated with the review process" and ensured that the social worker “had all the information available to make a judgement about the care."

The person showed us around their home and was happy with their living environment.

The person smiled throughout our visit and appeared happy. They were able to show us who they could contact if they were unhappy or worried.

We spoke to the advocate. "I have no hesitation in saying the care that (the person) receives is excellent."