Hulse Road

Hulse Road is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service is registered to provide support and accommodation for up to six people with a learning disability. The Royal Mencap Society is the service provider, a charity based in the UK, working with people who have a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were four people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post and available throughout our inspection. 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.

At the CQC inspections in October 2017 and November 2016, we rated the service as Requires Improvement. At the October 2017 inspection we made a recommendation to review staffing levels after 4pm. We also identified that areas of improvement were needed in the medicines protocol for one person, and the recording of mental capacity and consent. In addition, the managerial audits of the service were not effective. At this inspection we found that improvements had been made and the rating has now changed to Good.

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

Staff received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to identify and report any concerns of abuse.

Medicines were managed safely. There were systems in place to monitor medicine administration records and medicines stock.

There were improvements to the way people were supported to communicate their choices and decisions. Information was explained in pictorial formats to support people's needs. This included the complaints procedure, for healthcare appointments, and to help people understand when changes were taking place in the home.

A new kitchen was due to be installed one week after the inspection. This had been communicated to people using pictures and print, showing that a new kitchen would be fitted on a specific date in the calendar.

People were supported to be actively involved in choosing new bedroom furniture, furnishings and wall colours. Timelines were created to support people to understand delivery dates while they awaited the delivery of the items.

Risks to people's safety in the home and when spending time in the community had been assessed. There were plans in place to reduce the likelihood of risks occurring, and to help people maintain their independence.

People had been supported to make healthier lifestyle choices. This included healthy menu options and being encouraged to partake in physical activities.

There were opportunities for people to attend activities in the local community, based on their personal interests. These included craft sessions, swimming, and dance exercise workouts.

There were many social activities held at the home, including themed parties. There had been a Halloween and Christmas party, as well as a 'Reflection Day', where friends and families were invited to attend.

A day was dedicated to reflecting upon what had been achieved in the previous twelve months. People had created photo boards and displays of their activities, events, and achievements. Family and friends were invited to join the celebrations. People and staff were presented with certificates for their achievements.

Referrals were made to health and social care professionals when required.

Compliments had been received from people's families and one was received from a person's GP. The GP commented that there were notable improvements in the person's wellbeing and appearance.

New staff were recruited through recruitment processes and received a robust induction. This included in- house and external training, with new staff receiving a company induction and assessment from the area manager. This was in addition to supervision and assessment from the registered manager.

Staff were trained to meet the needs of people living at the service. Records showed that all staff training required by the provider was complete and up to date. Staff also received regular one-to-one meetings with the registered manager to discuss their performance and how they could further develop.

There was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the home, the staff team communicated well with one another and people were comfortable.

The registered manager had reflected upon where improvements had been required, and upon any accidents and incidents that had taken place. They had learned from these and made improvements accordingly. Staff were communicated with in the event of any updates.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found