Kite House

Similar concerns had also been raised by the same complainant about two other services owned by the same provider. The concerns about the other services were not addressed during this inspection, but have been considered separately in line with our inspection methodology.

Prior to the inspection, we had raised a safeguarding alert with the local authority about the concerns we had received. The local authority undertook their own investigations into each of the allegations during the same time period as the inspection. Since the inspection, we have received outcome information from the local authority, who have closed all the safeguarding concerns. The outcomes described how the service had worked with them and, where necessary, taken action to address the concerns.

We did not find evidence of unnecessary restrictions being placed upon people. We also did not find any evidence to support the allegation that people were not being supported to have fulfilled lives doing activities of their choice both within the service and in the local community.

At the last inspection in April 2018, we rated the service Good in all five domains and therefore the service was rated as Good overall.

At this inspection, we looked at the two key questions, "Is the service effective?" and "Is the service well-led?" and found that both domains continued to be rated as Good.

No risks, concerns or significant improvement were identified in the remaining Key Questions through our ongoing monitoring or during our inspection activity so we did not inspect them. The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for these Key Questions were included in calculating the overall rating in this inspection

Kite House is a residential care home for people who live with a diagnosis of learning disability and/or autism. Some people living at Kite House also have physical disabilities. The service is registered to provide accommodation with personal care (without nursing) for up to six people. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At the service, there is a main building with six bedrooms and communal areas. There is another care home

on the same site, called Burridge Farm which is owned by the same provider. Burridge Farm is managed by the same registered manager and most staff work in both care homes. A building located beside Burridge Farm provides office space for the registered manager, senior staff and administrative staff who work across both the services.

At the time of the inspection, there were five people living at the service.

The service had been designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support (RRS) and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. During the inspection we observed that staff worked with people promoting their choice and independence. This included being involved in activities within the service and in the local community.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. People were being supported within the requirements of the MCA.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and their families were very positive about the care and support provided at Kite House. One person's comments included, "Really like living here, staff are great." A relative said they were, "Very happy" with the care they family member received.

People's risks, needs and preferences were assessed when they first came to Kite House. Risk assessments and care plans were developed with the person, and where appropriate, their families. When there was a change in a person's presentation, their risk assessments and care plans were reviewed to ensure they still met the person's requirements. Staff were knowledgeable about each person, their history and family background. Staff worked to ensure that people's rights in relation to the Equality Act (2010) were upheld.

People were provided opportunities to do activities of their choice. This included activities both in the service and the local community. People said they enjoyed the activities they did which included going to the gym and working in a local café. People were also supported to develop life skills including cooking and household chores.

People were involved in choosing and preparing meals they said they enjoyed. People's dietary needs were understood by staff who encouraged people to eat healthily.

People were supported to maintain their health by attending appointments with health professionals such as GP and dentist. Where a person had to spend time in hospital, staff remained with them to ensure their needs were met.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found