This comprehensive inspection was carried out on 4 and 16 October 2018 . The inspection was announced as 3 Hainault Avenue is a small care home and we wanted to be sure that someone would be in when we inspected. The service is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for one person with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection one person was using the service.

At the last inspection the service was rated as ‘Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained good.

3 Hainault Avenue is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The premises where care and support was provided had been adapted to meet the persons needs and was situated in a quiet residential area close to all local amenities.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support 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.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy.

There was a registered manager in post who was also the registered manager for another service owned and operated by the provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

Risks to the person had been identified with management plans in place to provide guidance to staff. There were sufficient staff employed who had been safely recruited. Staff were aware of risks to the person and knew what to do to keep them safe. Staff had received training in safeguarding and could identify abuse and knew how to report concerns.

Medicines were safely stored, recorded and administered in line with current guidance to ensure the person received their prescribed medicines safely. Staff had received training in infection control and the home environment was clean and hygienic.

Staff received training, supervision and support to be competent in their role. The service supported the person to access healthcare services to maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing. The person was supported to have enough to eat that met their health needs and preferences.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff were caring and respectful of the person’s privacy and dignity. Independence was promoted and encouraged and the person was assisted to maintain relationships that were important to them.

The person’s needs had been holistically assessed and they received personalised care tailored to them. The person led a full life and was supported to participate in a range of activities of their choosing. The person was supported to express any concerns and information was made available in easy read format to support understanding.

The service was well led. The registered manager was supportive and accessible and had introduced some positive changes since being in post. The person’s and staff views were invited and listened to in order to improve the service. Quality assurance systems and processes were in place to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

This inspection took place on 18 March 2016.

3 Hainault Avenue is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for one person who has a learning disability. There was one person living at the service on the day of our inspection.

A registered manager was 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.

Staff were knowledgeable about identifying abuse and how to report it to safeguard people. Risk management plans were in place to support people to have as much independence as possible while keeping them safe. There were also processes in place to manage any risks in relation to the running of the service.

Medicines were safely stored, recorded and administered in line with current guidance to ensure people received their prescribed medicines to meet their needs. People had support to access healthcare professionals and services. People were supported to eat well and were encouraged to choose healthier food options to maintain their health and well-being.

There were sufficient, skilled staff to support people at all times and there were robust recruitment processes in place. Staff were caring and respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were supported to participate in social activities including community based outings.

Staff felt well trained and supported and used their training effectively to support people. The manager understood and complied with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff were aware of their role in relation to MCA and DoLS and how to support people so not to place them at risk of being deprived of their liberty.

People received personalised care and staff knew them well. Relationships between people, relatives and staff were positive. Staff were caring and responsive. Care plans were clear, provided staff with guidance and were reviewed regularly. People and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing their care. People were supported to express any concerns and information about making complaints was available in easy read format.

The service was well led; people knew the manager and found them to be approachable and available in the home. People living and working in the service had the opportunity to say how they felt about the home and the service it provided. Their views were listened to and actions were taken in response. The provider and manager had systems in place to check on the quality and safety of the service provided.

When we visited 3 Hainault Avenue we found that the person using the service was involved in making decisions about the way their care and treatment was delivered. They made choices in relation to their food preferences, clothing requirements and how their home was decorated and furnished. A progress plan was in place to support this person to undertake general day to day activities to encourage them to be more independent. A range of activities took place both inside the home and in the community.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with the person's needs. The support plan identified all areas of the support required and risks were identified and managed appropriately. Regular health checks took place to ensure the person remained fit and healthy.

Whilst visiting we observed positive interaction with the service user and staff and noted that the person appeared relaxed and content.

Staff had a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and had received appropriate training. The finances of the person living there were managed correctly to protect the person from financial abuse. This included regular audits.

The provider had systems in place to monitor and assess the quality of the services they provided. Audits took place to identify areas for improvement and staff and the person using the service were regularly consulted for feedback about how the service was managed. There had been no complaints since our last visit.

During our visit, we found that the person using the service, was able to give consent to the care and treatment received. Regular meetings took place between staff and the individual and it was clear that verbal consent was being obtained and recorded.

The person using the service said that they visited several places in the community each week and when at home was occupied with favoured activities. There was clear evidence of satisfaction with meaningful activities of their own choice and according to their individual interests, diverse needs and capabilities.

We also found that the cleanliness and infection control at the location protected people. The property was cleaned regularly by staff members with the person using the service being encouraged to be involved. The rooms were all clean, tidy and well presented. Food storage and cooking procedures were all in line with recommended Department of Health guidelines.

Staffing at the location was on a one to one basis at all times and all were appropriately trained and aware of the care and treatment required.

Records held were accessible and sufficient in detail to manage care and treatment. Staff records were also readily available and retained for the appropriate amount of time.

The person that uses the service told us that they felt well treated. They said that they had been involved in writing their care plans. They told us that they had regular meetings with the staff where they discussed how they wanted the home to be run.

The person that uses the service told us that the staff listened to them and treated them well. They told us that the staff made sure they had all that they wanted and needed. They said they felt safe living in 3 Hainault Avenue. They told us that the staff treated them very well. They appeared relaxed and happy in the staff members company.

The person that uses the service told us that they were happy with their room. They said that it contained everything they needed. They told us that they helped to keep the home nice and clean.

The person that uses the service told us that they liked the staff and that they knew what they were doing. They said that had taken part in regular meetings where they discussed how the home was run.