Morton House

Morton house accommodates fourteen people in one adapted building. People have their own bedrooms but share the communal bathrooms and showers. The service has a separate kitchen, dining area, sitting room and laundry room. The bedrooms are set over the ground and first floor. The bedrooms on the first floor can be accessed by a lift.

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. Twelve 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.

Safe medicine practices were not consistently promoted. The issues identified were addressed during the inspection. We have made a recommendation for the provider to effectively monitor to ensure they are working to best practice in relation to medicine administration.

Systems were in place to safeguard people and risks to them were identified and mitigated. Accident and

incidents were recorded and reviewed to promote learning and prevent reoccurrence.The home was free from odour and had a homely feel to it. However, the home was outdated and no longer suitable for people's needs. The provider confirmed a refurbishment plan was in place with work scheduled to commence at the end of February 2020, to improve the service.

Systems were in place to audit the service. Actions from audits were not routinely signed off as completed. The registered manager agreed to do that to evidence the progress.

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. People's health and nutritional needs were identified, and they had access to other health professionals to promote their health, well- being and safety.

Staff were suitably recruited, although volunteers did not have all of the required records in place. The nominated individual agreed to address this. The service had an established staff team and continuity of care was provided. Staff were inducted and trained. Staff felt well supported but regular one to one supervision was not taking place. This had been identified by the service and was being addressed.

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. Staff were observed to be kind, caring and had a good knowledge of people which enabled them to provide person centred care to people. They promoted people's privacy, dignity and encouraged their independence. People were provided with equipment to promote their independence.

People had person centred care plans in place which were kept under review and updated. People's communication needs were identified, and their end of life wishes explored. Some activities were provided, and people choose whether to get involved in them or not. Systems were in place to enable people and their relatives to raise concerns.

The service had an experienced manager. They supported staff on shift and empowered the staff team to develop and learn. Staff felt valued and worked well as a team to benefit people. People and their relatives were complimentary of the registered manager. A relative commented " The"[Registered manager name] is magic, he is absolutely dedicated and committed to the people living there".