Avocet Trust - 281-287 St George's Road

At the time of our inspection there were 11 people using 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.

The service was last inspected on 10 September 2015 and was rated as 'Good' overall. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good'.

People who used the service were supported by staff who understood the importance of protecting them from harm. Staff had completed training in how to identify abuse and report this to the appropriate authorities. We found staff were recruited in a safe way and all checks were in place before they started work. The staff had completed an in-depth comprehensive induction and essential training at the beginning of their employment and we saw periodic refresher training to update their knowledge and skills had followed this. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people's needs.

Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and minimise them from occurring. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competences, around administering medication, were regularly checked.

We found the service to be clean and tidy. Staff told us the infection control practices were good and we saw the service was well maintained.

We looked at how the service used the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure when people were assessed as lacking capacity to make their own decisions, best interest meetings were held in order to make important decisions on their behalf.

We observed staff were kind and caring in their approach and interactions with people who used the service. They had a good understanding and knowledge of people's individual needs and their preferences for how they wished to be supported. We saw staff obtained consent and offered explanations to people before undertaking any support tasks.

People who used the service and their relatives told us they were supported by kind and caring staff who knew them well and understood their preferences for how their care and support should be delivered. We

saw people were treated with dignity and respect throughout our inspection. It was clear staff were aware of people's preferences for how care and support should be provided.

Staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and procedures within the organisation supported this practice. People who used the service were supported to access health care professionals when required.

We saw records confirming that reviews took place periodically and people who used the service or those acting on their behalf were involved with the planning and on-going assessments of their care when possible.

The provider had developed and embedded an effective quality assurance system that consisted of audits, daily checks and questionnaires. Action was taken to improve the service when shortfalls were identified. People who used the service, relatives and staff were able to express their views on how the service was run through surveys and a range of meetings.

There was a complaints policy in place and available in easy to read format within the service. The registered manager understood the requirements to report accidents, incidents and other notifiable incidents to the CQC.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found