Loretta House

Loretta House is a three-storey detached home. People have their own bedrooms and share two lounges and a large kitchen/dining area. A rear patio leads onto a small garden area. Toilet and shower facilities are shared. All people living at Loretta House require support with personal care.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support for people with learning disabilities although we found the provider was not aware of the publication of these principles. Registering the Right Support 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.

There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, or cameras 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 were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. A person whose care needs were not in line with people with learning disabilities had been admitted to Loretta house. This person's basic needs were met at the time of the inspection although the provider recognised it would be unlikely, they could meet their needs on a long term basis. The provider had not completed an assessment of how this placement would impact on their ability to continue providing a service that was in line with the principles of Registering the Right Support. The policies and systems in the service required improvement to reflect accurately best interests' meetings to support this practice.

safely. People's medicines were managed and stored safely. Staff followed infection control and prevention procedures. People's needs were assessed and updated on an ongoing basis. Staff we were trained to ensure that they could meet their needs. People were supported to have as much independence as possible and efforts were made to offer support in the least restrictive ways. Policies and systems were in place to support this. People were supported by staff who were caring and kind in their manner and knew them well. People's privacy and dignity were respected and maintained. People's needs were met, and the service adapted to changes in their needs. Staff were provided with the information and training needed to offer person centred care and had knowledge of people's health needs. The quality of the service offered to people was monitored by the management although not always consistently. The management team were approachable and had an open-door policy. People knew and liked the management team. The management team and staff established good linked with relevant professionals and community services.