Jemini Response Limited - 17 Jerome Close

17 Jerome Close is a house in a residential area and had two floors. Bedrooms were on both floors and on the ground floor there was also communal living areas and an office. The home had a rear garden with a large, heated, outhouse that was used by staff and people.

The service has been developed and designed in line 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.

People were not able to tell us they felt safe however we observed staff interacting with people and spoke to staff about their understanding of safety issues, for example safeguarding. Relatives and professionals told us that they felt the service was safe. Staff knew people well and knew their care and support needs. Risk assessments were in place, specific to people's needs. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff working each shift to meet people's needs. There was a comprehensive induction process. Medicines were ordered, stored, provided and disposed of safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control in their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way and in their best interests. Staff had received training that was relevant to help them support people. This included mental capacity, challenging behaviour and safeguarding. People's nutritional needs were met and people were offered choice. People received support from health and social care professionals.

Staff were attentive to people's needs and were caring. People's privacy, dignity and independence were respected and promoted. People's differences under the Equalities Act 2000 were considered and respected.

Support received was person-centred and focussed on individual needs. Care plans were regularly reviewed with people, relatives, staff and professionals. People had routines which were important to them and a range of activities both inside and outside the home were provided. Strong links with the local community had been established. A robust complaints process was in place.

The registered manager was well thought of and staff, relatives and professionals told us they thought the home was well led. People reacted in a positive way with the registered manager who was a visible presence throughout the home. Audit processes were in place and were overseen by the registered manager. Feedback was sought from people, staff, relatives and professionals. Regular staff meetings were held.

The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in- depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. The home used some physical restraint only.