Jasmine House is a care home without nursing established to support one person with a learning disability. Jasmine House is a domestic property in a residential area of Paignton. The service is situated close to the town centre, with access to local beaches, medical and support services as well as shops, restaurants and a cinema.

At our last inspection in July 2016 we rated the service as 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 ongoing 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.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated as good:

Jasmine House operated a flexible, supportive environment for one person living wih a learning disability. The service was in line with the principles of “Registering the Right Support” and other good practice guidance for people with learning disabilities, in that the person was supported in ways that maximised their choice, independence and community inclusion. The person was supported by the provider and members of the provider’s family comprised the staff team. They told us this felt like living as a member of the family, and that they were very happy living at Jasmine House. They said “It’s my home. I am happy here - It’s my home. I wouldn’t want to leave.”

The person was 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. Since the last inspection the provider had updated their knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and made an appropriate application for a Deptivation of Liberty Safeguard to protect the person’s rights. Staff had the training and support they needed. Staff had received training in supporting equality and diversity and were committed to ensuring the person had a fulfilled and active life.

Risks associated with the person’s care needs were well understood and managed. We have made a recommendation about providing more detail on the action plan for the person’s choking risk assessment in accordance with good practice, and on the use of terminology. Systems were in place to help protect the person from abuse.

The building was well maintained, comfortable and all areas were clean. Systems were in place to maintain the building safely, such as regular fire tests and drills and water temperature regulation. Medicines were managed safely, and there were always enough staff from the provider’s family to support the person with what they wanted to do.

The person’s care plan was well understood by staff, who had supported the person for many years, and were compassionate and positive towards the person and their development. Triggers for risky behaviours were mitigated and the success of this was evident in the significant reduction of negative outcomes the person experienced.

The person was supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with regular healthcare checks being made. The person was able to choose healthy dietary options and was involved in shopping for meals and could prepare snacks and hot drinks at any time. Care plans were basic but contained sufficient detail to ensure the person’s needs and communication could be met and understood. The person was consulted on any changes and able to express any views about their care or the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

Jasmine House is a small residential care home, set in a domestic scale terraced house in Paignton. The service was set up as a bespoke service for one person, where the person is able to experience a family environment. The provider and their family make up the staff team and are committed to supporting the person to develop their life experiences and have a good quality of life.

This inspection took place on 15 June 2016. The provider was given short notice of the inspection. This was to ensure they could be available to support the inspection and to inform the person living at the home.

The person was protected from the risk of abuse as systems had been put in place to help identify and report abuse. The staff team, who were all family members, understood the person’s needs and worked with them consistently to support the person and minimise risks. The person received one to one support as a minimum 24 hours a day.

Jasmine House provided a homely, clean and safe environment. The environment had been adapted to reduce risks to the person, for example from fire or hot surfaces, and had been decorated in accordance with their choices. The home was adapted to meet their needs, for example with the conversion of a garage to make a hobbies room.

Medicines were managed safely, and the person had access to healthcare and community services to meet their health and social care needs. They were involved in choosing their own meals and making healthy lifestyle choices for food and activity levels.

Staff received the training they needed and his was being regularly updated online. Staff regularly discussed the person’s needs and how they could be supported to increase their independence and choices.

The person’s rights were being protected. They were treated with respect and their choices were valued and acted upon. They were encouraged to be involved in decisions which affected them, write their care plans, and develop new goals to promote their independence. This included increased community contact. Systems were in place to manage concerns and complaints.

There were systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the home, and learn more about how to develop the service.

Records were well maintained.

The service had been designed around the needs of one person. Feedback about the service delivered was received by the provider from the local disability team and other agencies linked with the support of the person.

Care records also contained information on areas such as communication, behaviour, daily living, personal care, emotional needs, professional involvement and support, risk assessments. This showed that staff were given information to enable them to provide care that met the person's specific needs. Observations were made and recorded by staff if they felt people's needs were changing. This was then discussed with the individual and care plans were updated to reflect a change when required.

People told us they felt respected and involved in the planning of their care. They added "I'm very happy here, this is my home."

Staff told us "We are a small team of staff who support and work closely with the person using the service." They added "So we have built up knowledge of the person's individual needs and preference, they have become like a close family member."

This service was delivered to one person. To ensure they were at home when we visited we gave the provider two days notice of our inspection. When we visitedthe home the person told us they “are happy”, they “live like a family” and they “want to stay” living where they are. They said they felt safe.

We found that this person was treated with respect, and with regard to their individuality, and with regard to their rights and responsibilities. The service had successfully reduced the number of incidents associated with behavioural issues. Staff ensured that people’s mental and physical health needs were met. One to one staff was provided at all times.

Staff received appropriate training and support. No new staff had been recruited at the service for many years. Staff had undergone enhanced criminal bureau checks. External oversight of this service was provided through annual contract monitoring arrangements and feedback from health and social care professionals. All records were accurate, up to date and kept securely.