Dimensions 42 Jubilee Road

There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate 49 Jubilee Road was a care home. Staff did not wear anything that suggested they were care staff inside or outside the home.

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 Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.

As part of thematic review, we carried out a survey with the registered manager at this inspection. This considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people.

The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. Where restrictive intervention practices were used, these were documented and supported people to remain safe.

Care plans described activities people enjoyed doing such as going shopping, to the cinema and out for meals, attending clubs and going to church. People were also supported to do activities they enjoyed in the home, including music sessions, watching quiz programmes. During the inspection, some people chose to stay in while others went out with staff.

People received their medicines according to their prescription, and there were safe systems in place to manage the storage, administration and disposal of medicines. A senior member of staff took immediate action to remedy a problem with the thermometer in the medicines refrigerator when this was identified during the inspection.

There was an established management team, who worked alongside care staff each day. The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Staff at the service were also supported by senior managers from the provider organisation. Quality assurance systems and regular audits were in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided.

Systems to safeguard people from abuse were in place. The service responded to concerns or complaints about people's wellbeing and learned from incidents to prevent a reoccurrence. People's rights to privacy and dignity were respected. Decisions had been made and recorded in people's best interests where they were not able to make these decisions themselves. The service respected and supported people's equality and diversity.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff received training and the support needed to carry out their role. Staff were encouraged to share ideas about how the service could be improved for people. The recruitment process helped ensure potential staff were safe to work with people who may be vulnerable.