Mortimer House

The care home accommodates up to 28 people in one adapted building, over two floors.

The service has been developed and designed 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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 28 people. 20 people were using the service. 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 being close to local amenities.

Staff reported feeling happy with their training and support and told us staff morale was improving. They told us communication was getting better and that they had handovers at each shift to discuss key information.

Staff worked with health and social care professionals to ensure people's needs were met. Community health professionals held a clinic at the home once a fortnight to review and advise on people's nutritional and eating and drinking needs. There had been some concerns around how well staff were following these guidelines; however shortly after the inspection, we received feedback that this was improving. During our inspection we observed a meal time when people received good support.

Staff knew and understood people's individual needs well and told us about their likes and preferences. Care plans were written in a person centred manner and had been recently updated. People had opportunity to take part in activities both on an individual basis and in group settings such as arts and crafts.

We saw improvements in the home since the last inspection and it being rated as requires improvement. The registered manager was being supported by the organisation to make improvements. There was an action plan in place. The provider had been working with the local authority safeguarding team due to concerns raised by health professionals. We made one recommendation under Well Led to continue to review record keeping, due to inconsistencies we found in some people's care plans.

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; 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. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of registering the right support.