Penleigh House

The provider and the registered manager had put a lot of investment to ensure the facilities that people had were meeting their needs. In the grounds of Penleigh House, there was a purpose-built activity hub called the 'Gate House'. This was well equipped to provide people with opportunities to build on their skills of independence and spend time away from their home completing a variety of meaningful activities.

In a separate building called 'The Lodge' there was a hot tub fully equipped with moving and handling equipment, soft lighting and music to help people with physical disabilities to relax. This was very beneficial as it also provided people with a sensory experience and was therapeutic to the mind and body.

The home met most of the characteristics that underpin the 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 received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

Penleigh House was registered to support up to ten people. 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 in the neighbourhood.

There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins 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 continued to receive care that was safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs and to spend time with them doing the things they liked to do. Risk assessments were carried out to enable people to receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others. People received their medicines safely.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and the support required to effectively support people. People's healthcare needs were monitored by the staff. Other health and social care professionals were involved in the care and support of the people living at Penleigh House. Because staff knew people extremely well they promptly recognised when they were unhappy or unwell.

Staff were caring and provided people with care tailored to their needs promoting their rights to live an ordinary life. People were supported to have 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 staff were extremely responsive to people's needs and person centred in their approach. People were supported to do the things they wanted to do and enjoy. People were supported to keep in contact with family and build new friendships because of the community based activities they took part in. The facilities that people had available to them such as the activity hub, the hot tub and relaxation/sensory room were excellent not only for enjoyment but for mobility and health.

The service was very well managed and put people at the heart of all that they did. The provider had quality assurance systems in place to monitor the running of the home and the quality of the care being delivered. There was an open and transparent culture within the service. It was evident they strived to provide the best experience for people and were creative and innovative in looking at the facilities and activities that people were taking part in.