Ordinary Life Project Association - 12 Addington Close

People's experience of using this service: Risk assessments were in place, to protect people from the likelihood of risks to their health or safety occurring.

Medicines were managed safely. The home had worked with the pharmacist to ensure that people's medicines were reviewed and continued to be effective.

People were supported to live healthier lives. This included achieving a healthy weight range, also three- monthly dementia progress appointments with a visiting healthcare professional.

People were encouraged to follow their interests. One person attended music and singing group sessions outside of the home. We observed another person colouring. There was an interactive media device that could be used to select music and sports online that both people enjoyed watching and listening to.

One person went to an art group and produced artwork at home that was framed and presented in the living room. The art work was also used to create seasonal gifts, gift tags and cards for friends and relatives.

There were photographic diaries of people's social interactions and achievements. These included photographs of people at their favourite places of interest.

One person preferred to spend their time indoors and creative ways to encourage their social involvement were found. This included bringing snow indoors for them to build an indoor snowman.

The home was clean, tidy and free from odours throughout.

There were photographic signs on the doors to the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen. These were to help people orientate themselves around the home.

Bedrooms had full length glass doors leading to the accessible garden. The garden had a decking walkway and raised borders, to encourage people to be involved in the gardening. One person's relative was a landscape gardener and provided the home with plants throughout the year. The home employed the services of a gardener to ensure this area was maintained.

Technology was used to support people to maintain contact with their family. One person had family living

overseas. There had been attempts to support them to Skype with their family, but it was found that due to the time difference, email communication was more effective.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs and staff enjoyed working at the home. They had access to a range of training based on the needs of the people they support. Staff had regular supervision meetings with the registered manager or the senior carer.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) were applied to the care planning, with consideration for consent and capacity throughout. There were mental capacity assessments in place for specific decisions, such as having the flu vaccination; to assess people's capacity to consent to these.

There were quality assurance processes in place. These were to audit the service and identify where there were any areas for improvement.

The service met the characteristics of Good in all areas. More information is in the full report.