Red Gables

The home is currently providing support to some people living with a learning disability, however, people's primary need for admission was their dementia and personal care. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right support: The model of care and setting maximised people's choice, control and independence. Staff supported people to make choices about their daily lives and engage in activities, that were tailored to their individual needs and promoted their independence. People were supported to maintain and develop relationships. People were supported by enough staff on duty who had been trained to do their jobs properly. People received their medicines in a safe way. People were protected from abuse and neglect. People's care plans and risk assessments were clear and up to date.

Right care: People received good quality person-centred care that promoted their dignity, privacy and human rights. Staff knew people well and demonstrated an understanding of people's individual care and communication needs. This helped ensure people's views were heard and their diverse needs met.

People were treated in a dignified manner and staff were aware of people's support needs. Staff were observed talking to people in dignified and respectful way. Staff delivered personal care needed and gained consent prior to providing any support. Care plans informed staff of any specific ways to best communicate with the person.

Right culture: People led their life that reflected their personalities and preferences because of the ethos, values, and attitudes of management and care staff ensured people led confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff created an environment that inspired people to understand and achieve their goals and ambitions.

Medicines were ordered, stored and disposed of safely. However, we found that when visiting healthcare professionals administered medicines to people these were not always recorded onto the home's medicines administration records (MAR). This meant the MAR was not a complete record of all medicines for that person. We have made recommendations about the management of medicines.

People told us they were happy with the care they received, and people said they felt safe living there. Comment from one person was; "Yes I feel safe with the staff." People looked relaxed, happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service. A relative recorded onto a survey returned to the service; "Awesome care home and staff! Can't fault anything."

Records were accessible and up to date. The service used a computerised care planning system. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service.

People were supported by staff who completed an induction and received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely. This included fire safety and dementia care training. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people's needs were met. The PIR recorded; "After a difficult period of recruitment, we are now seeing a good number of applicants coming through for some good quality staff." There was time for people to have social interaction and there was a designated activities staff member to assist people. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.

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.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately. One professional said; "They (the staff) are very responsive to things we ask them to do."

Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person's needs and preferences. Risks were identified, and staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People's communication needs were identified, and where they wanted, people had end of life wishes explored and recorded.

Staff told us the registered manager and deputy manager were available, assisted them and helped cover shifts when some staff had been off with COVID-19. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. A staff member said; "Everyone pulls together to get things done."