Strathmore House

The service is a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 14 people when it opened. Twelve people were using the service at the time of the inspection which 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. 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.

The service operates in line with 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's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to gain new skills and participate in a varied range of local activities.

There were enough skilled staff on duty to meet people's needs and provide them with support to engage in activities of interest to them and activities of daily living. People were supported to maintain good health and spoke about the contact they had with doctors and other healthcare professionals as needed to keep them well.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported support them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. Healthy eating was encouraged in the home and people received a varied and balanced diet.

Relationships and interactions between staff and people living in the home were positive and relaxed. People were clearly at ease in the company of staff and with each other.

People continued to be cared for by staff who displayed kindness and compassion in ways that upheld their privacy and dignity. Staff ensured that people were supported to make choices and maintain a good level of independence in line with their abilities and wishes. People's diverse needs were recognised with support and, access to activities were supported and enabled by staff.

The provider had effective systems in place that were used to regularly review people's care and support that had been provided. Care plans and detailed assessments were individual and contained a wealth of information about people, their needs, their wishes and cultural needs. The registered manager and staff ensured that people's individual care and support needs were met. Reviews were regularly undertaken so that positive outcomes could be provided for people.

Staff and relatives of people expressed confidence in the registered manager and staff. They said they were well informed and updated by the home about all aspects of the care provided. Relationships between the registered manager and staff were positive and all said that communication in the home was good with information about people shared in a timely manner. Regular audits and checks were conducted by the provider to maintain and check on the quality of the service provided.

The care home continued to be well-led, with checks and monitoring arrangements used to maintain the quality of the service provided. People using the service had a good relationship with the registered manager and expressed confidence in being able to approach the registered manager at any time. Required information was available in the home and made available when requested. Information for people using the service was available and presented in formats that people found useful.