People’s experience of using this service:

People were kept safe as a result of thorough risk assessment processes. Staff used these to develop a calm and consistent approach to the risks people faced.

People’s medication were managed safely and there were high levels of staffing to ensure people received the support they needed.

People were supported by skilled and well-trained staff who worked effectively as a team. The building was designed to give people the experience of living in flats which helped them develop their independent living skills.

People and relatives liked the staff team and people had regular opportunities to share their views and make decisions about their care and support. Staff worked hard to ensure people achieved goals that were important to them and staff helped people access specialist advice when required.

The service was organised around people’s needs and support was provided in an individualised way. People were supported to work through problems and difficulties at a pace they could manage.

People, staff and relatives were very happy with the way the service was being led. The service had established good relationships with external partners for the benefit of the people living in the home.

Regular checks were carried out to make sure the quality of the service and support were maintained.

More information can be found in the detailed information below.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (report published 09 November 2015)

About the service:

Triple S Care and Support is a residential care home that provides personal and nursing care for people with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health difficulties. At the time of the inspection there were 8 people using the service.

The care service has been developed in line with the values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Further details about the service can be found in the full report.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Enforcement:

No enforcement action was required.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

The inspection took place on 22 January 2015 and was unannounced. Two inspectors carried out the inspection. This service had been previously registered with us but the previous provider had changed to become a limited company. This was the first inspection of this service with the new provider.

The home is registered to provide personal care for up to eight people who may need support due to learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, mental health conditions, physical and or sensory difficulties or be younger people. When we inspected there were six people living in the home and another person arrived whilst we were there. People were supported in individual flats but there was a communal living area where people could meet.

A registered manager was 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.

People living in the home were safe because staff were aware of and responded appropriately to situations where people put themselves or other people at risk of harm. All staff we spoke with knew how to report any allegation or suspicion of abuse to the appropriate agencies. Risks due to people’s health conditions and choices were assessed and plans were made and reviewed to minimise the risk of harm. Staff administered medicines appropriately and knew about them. Where people refused medicines advice was sought to find the best way to support people to take medicines they needed to maintain their health.

Staff were recruited and supported by the management. There were enough staff to support people to have their personal care needs met or support their progress to independence as much as people would allow. Staff understood that the majority of people who lived in the home had capacity to understand the unwise choices they sometimes made and did not restrict people because of this. Staff supported people in ways which were detailed in their care plan. People who were able were helped to plan their menu, budget for and cook food. People were given support to have food that was healthy and was prepared in accordance with the care plan or risk assessment.

People were supported to have appropriate health care and advice they needed. Staff were knowledgeable and had received training on health concerns that affected people who lived in the home. Information about people’s health care was written in a way to help them understand the benefits of the health support they were receiving.

We observed that people were well cared for. Staff were able to communicate effectively with people. They were able to anticipate when people were becoming anxious and appropriately intervene. People were encouraged to make choices about their care and lifestyles and this helped to ensure that people had some control over their lives. We found that people were offered a range of employment, educational and leisure activities based on their interests and wishes.

People raised no complaints with us although one person felt it was time they were moving on to more independent living. The provider ensured that people could express their views about the care they received and acted on any concerns they had.

The management systems to check the quality of care for people in the home were effective. Where any minor shortfalls were identified action was taken to remedy the situation quickly. Social care professionals involved with people in the service told us that the manager had appropriate knowledge and skills to manage people’s complex situations, health and care needs.