Weir End House

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 13 people. Ten people were using the service at the time of the inspection visit. 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 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.

Staff expressed mixed views on the management of the service. Some staff lacked confidence bringing concerns about people's care to the attention of the registered manager. The provider's quality assurance systems and processes were not as effective as they needed to be, and had not enabled the provider to address the shortfalls in quality we identified during our inspection. The provider and registered manager did not fully seek to engage positively with people and staff and involve them in the service.

Staff had received training in, and understood, how to identify and report abuse. Checks were completed on the premises and equipment in use to protect people's health and safety. People told us there were enough staff on duty to provide them with prompt support when they needed this. Prospective staff underwent pre- employment checks before they started work at the home. People were supported to take and manage their medicines safely. The provider took steps to protect people, visitors and staff from the risk of infections.

People's care plans were individualised and promoted a person-centred approach. People's individual communication needs were assessed, reviewed and plans put in place to address these. People had support to spend time in way they found interesting and enjoyable, and to participate in their local community. People had been provided with accessible information on the provider's complaints procedure, and they told us they would speak to staff and management about any concerns. People's wishes regarding their end-of-life care were assessed, in order to address these at the relevant time.

People described the positive relationship they had with the registered manager and felt the home was well- managed. Staff and management sought to work collaboratively with community health and social care professionals to ensure people's care needs were monitored and met.