Greene House

Greene House is situated within a larger campus style setting owned and operated by the Epilepsy Society. Inside the campus, there are other registered care homes, communal facilities such as a recreation hall and coffee shop, community based healthcare professionals and the provider's head office.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 14 people. Eleven people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs (apart from the house name), intercom, cameras or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

People's likes, preferences and dislikes were considered and used in their everyday care. Staff had a good knowledge of people's needs. People received enough food and drinks to prevent malnutrition and dehydration. People's care was joined up with local and community-based health and social care professionals. The service was compliant with the provisions set out by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. There was a recent redecoration of the property, with some changes to the building layout. Staff had the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to support people.

The staff were kind and compassionate. People were satisfied with the support they received and told us they liked living at Greene House. People's rights were respected, and their dignity and privacy maintained. Where possible, people's independence was promoted. People were involved in their care planning and reviews.

Support plans were person-centred, detailed and contemporaneous. The daily notes were satisfactory. Most of the daily progress notes was task-based and not person-centred; the registered manager accepted this feedback. We made a recommendation about signage within the building to meet the minimum requirements set out in the NHS Accessible Information Standard. There was a satisfactory complaints mechanism in place. There was good planning and care for people's end of life care.

The provider had a clear and credible charter of people's rights, which were respected at Greene House. There was a positive workplace environment. Audits and other quality assurance processes were used to gauge, monitor and report on the quality and safety of care. Appropriate actions were taken when issues were identified. The registered manager and deputy manager are knowledgeable, skilled and experienced and were able to lead the service well. There is good linked up working with the organisation and local community. The service showed transparency and accountability in reporting matters when things went wrong.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.