Milehouse Lane

Following the comprehensive inspection, the provider wrote to us to tell us how they would make the required improvements to meet the legal requirements. At this inspection we found that the provider had made the necessary improvements and therefore improved the quality of the service provided at Milehouse Lane.

Milehouse Lane provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven people who have a learning disability and the home was fully occupied on the day we inspected.

Accommodation is provided over two floors. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and there are separate toilets and bathroom/shower facilities. There is a kitchen, communal areas, including a dining room, a lounge and a conservatory for people and their visitors to use.

There was a new manager in post who was in the process of applying to become the registered manager of the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The majority of people who lived at the home were unable to communicate verbally but we observed staff supporting people with a range of communication aids, which included signing and interpreting people's body language with regards to meeting their needs and wishes. People welcomed us into their home and told us they felt safe and happy living at Milehouse Lane.

We found that people were supported to take their medicines by trained staff. We saw that staff followed safe practices and medicines were accurately documented and stock levels checked were correct.

People felt safe living at Milehouse lane. Staff understood how to keep people safe and risks to people's safety and well-being were identified and managed. The home was calm and people's needs were met in a timely manner by sufficient numbers of skilled and experienced staff. The provider operated a thorough recruitment processes which helped to ensure that staff employed to provide care and support for people were fit to do so.

We found that staff received regular one to one supervision and felt supported and valued. People received the support they needed to eat and drink sufficient quantities and their health needs were catered for with appropriate referrals made to external health professionals when needed.

Relatives complimented the staff team for being kind and caring. Staffs were knowledgeable about individuals' care and support needs and preferences and people had been involved in the planning of their care where they were able. Visitors to the home were encouraged at any time of the day.

The manager had arrangements in place to receive feedback from people who used the service, their relatives, external stakeholders and staff members about the services provided. There was an effective system in place for people to raise complaints about the service they received.

There was an open and respectful culture in the home and relatives and staff were comfortable to speak with the manager if they had a concern. The manager had arrangements to regularly monitor health and safety and the quality of the care and support provided for people who used the service.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found