We inspected Insight Teynham on 17 October 2017. Insight Teynham provides care and support for up to 13 people with learning disabilities and additional challenging behaviours. Insight Teynham is split into three separate units on one site. At the time of our inspection, 12 people were living at the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good and met all relevant fundamental standards.

Why the service is rated Good.

Staff had good knowledge of how to safeguard adults from abuse and knew what actions to take if they suspected abuse was taking place. The provider had carried out appropriate employment checks to ensure that staff were safe to work with people at the home. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to keep people safe. The provider gave staff appropriate training to meet the needs of people. Staff received one to one supervision and appraisals from the registered manager to support them in their roles.

People's needs had been assessed and detailed care plans developed. Care plans contained risk assessments for daily support needs that were personalised for individuals. People’s food preferences were taken into account when designing menus.

Medicines were stored securely and safely administered by staff who had received appropriate training to do so. People were being referred to health professionals when needed. People’s records showed that appropriate referrals were being made to GP’s, speech and language therapists, dentists and chiropodists.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff and the registered manager demonstrated a good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and had followed the principles of the Act.

Relatives spoke positively about staff. Staff communicated with people in ways that were appropriate to their needs. People’s private information was stored securely and discussions about people’s personal needs took place in a private area where it could not be overheard. People were free to choose how they lived their lives. People could choose what activities they took part in and these reflected their personal interests.

The provider had ensured that there were effective processes in place to fully investigate any complaints. Records showed that outcomes of investigations were communicated to relevant people. People were empowered to manage any personal disputes they had. People and their relatives were encouraged to give feedback through resident meetings and yearly surveys. The provider had ensured that there were quality monitoring systems in place to identify any shortfalls and the registered manager acted on these appropriately.

Relatives and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. The registered manager was approachable and supportive and took an active role in the day-to-day running of the service. Staff were able to discuss concerns with the registered manager at any time and had confidence appropriate action would be taken. The registered manager was open, transparent and responded positively to any concerns or suggestions made about the service. The registered manager was informing the CQC of all notifiable events detailed in the regulations.

People who lived at Insight Teynham told us that they had positive experiences of living at the home. Two people described the service as "Brilliant" and told us they were confident they would get help if they needed it. One person said they could always talk to the person centred planning coordinator if they needed help.

We reviewed the management of medicines at the home. We found that medicines were appropriately stored and administered. Systems were in place to monitor medicines. This meant that problems were identified and addressed in a timely manner.

We looked at how staff were recruited to work at the home and found that appropriate checks and processes were in place to ensure that staff were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

We asked staff if they were supported to do their jobs well. One staff member told us that the managers and shift leaders "Don't leave you to struggle" and another said that staff were "Never left alone". We also reviewed staff training records and found that staff were given the training they needed to work effectively with people living at the home.

We looked at how the service managed complaints. We found that the complaints policy was clear and detailed. Staff we spoke with showed an awareness of how they should support people if they were unhappy with any aspect of the service. Service users were given regular opportunities to raise concerns through client forums.

We carried out this inspection on the 28 August and 1 September 2015, and it was unannounced.

Insight Teynham is a privately owned care home, providing personal care and accommodation for up to 11 adults with learning disabilities, some of whom may have behaviours that may harm themselves or others. There were 11 people living at the service at the time of the inspection. People had complex needs, including mental health and physical health needs. It is one of a group of five care homes owned by Insight Specialist Behavioural Service Ltd. The home in situated near the amenities of Teynham.

Due to people’s varied needs, some of the people living in the service had a limited ability to verbally communicate with us or engage directly in the inspection process. People demonstrated that they were happy in their home by showing warmth to the staff that were supporting them. Staff were attentive and interacted with people in a warm and friendly manner. Staff were available throughout the day, and responded quickly to people’s requests for help.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The registered manager and staff showed that they understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Where people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions the home was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 to ensure any decisions were made in the person’s best interests. Staff were trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and showed they understood and promoted people’s rights through asking for people’s consent before they carried out care tasks.

Staff had been trained in how to protect people from abuse, and discussions with them confirmed that they knew the action to take in the event of any suspicion of abuse. Staff understood the whistle blowing policy and how to use it. They were confident they could raise any concerns with the registered manager or outside agencies if this was needed.

Staff were knowledgeable about the needs and requirements of people using the service. Staff involved people in planning their own care in formats that they were able to understand, for example pictorial formats. Staff supported them in making arrangements to meet their health needs.

Staff were recruited using procedures designed to protect people from the employment of unsuitable staff. Staff were trained to meet people’s needs and were supported through regular supervision and an annual appraisal so they were supported to carry out their roles.

Medicines were managed, stored, disposed of and administered safely. People received their medicines when they needed them and as prescribed.

People were provided with food and fluids that met their needs and preferences. Menus offered variety and choice.

There were risk assessments in place for the environment, and for each individual person who received care. Assessments identified people’s specific needs, and showed how risks could be minimised. People were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment.

There were systems in place to review accidents and incidents and make any relevant improvements as a result.

The registered manager investigated and responded to people’s complaints and people said they felt able to raise any concerns with staff.

Staff respected people and we saw several instances of a kindly touch or a joke and conversation as drinks were being made and at other times during the day.

People were given individual support to take part in their preferred hobbies and interests.

There were systems in place to obtain people’s views about the quality of the service and the care they received. People were listened to and their views were taken into account in the way the service was run.