Copper Beech

This unannounced inspection took place on 20 November 2018. At this inspection we found the service remained Good overall.

Why the service is rated Good overall:

There is a registered manager running the service who is also the registered manager for a separate adjacent service. 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.

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.

People's safety was maintained by staff who had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and health and safety policies and procedures. Staff clearly understood how to protect people and who to alert if they had any concerns. General environmental/operational risks and risks to individuals were identified and appropriate action was taken to eradicate or reduce them. We have made a recommendation in respect of the frequency of fire safety equipment checks.

There were enough staff on duty at all times to meet people's diverse, individual needs safely and effectively. The service benefited from a stable and experienced staff team. The provider had robust recruitment procedures. People were given their medicines safely, at the right times and in the right amounts by trained and competent staff.

Staff were well-trained and able to meet people's health and well-being needs. They were able to respond very effectively to people's current and changing needs. The service sought advice from and worked with health and other professionals to ensure they met people's needs.

People were encouraged to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practise.

The committed, attentive and knowledgeable staff team provided care with kindness and respect. Individualised and person-centred care planning ensured people's equality and diversity was respected. People were provided with a range of activities, according to their needs, abilities, health and preferences. Care plans were reviewed by management staff regularly. Care plans contained up to date information and records demonstrated that risk assessments were reviewed within stated timescales.

The registered manager was highly regarded by staff and family members. She was described as supportive, approachable and very focussed on the needs of the people living in the service. The very good quality of care the service provided continued to be reviewed and improved, as necessary.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found