What life is like for people using this service:

Our last inspection took place in June 2016 when the service was rated good. At this inspection we found that the service continued to meet the characteristics of a good service in all the key questions.

The provider had systems in place to safeguard people from abuse. Staff knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. Risks associated with people’s care were identified and managed appropriately and in a manner which did not unnecessarily restrict their freedoms. Accidents and incidents were monitored to identify and address any patterns or trends.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who were knowledgeable about their needs and knew how to support them. Staff received appropriate training and support.

The registered provider had systems in place to ensure people received their medicine as prescribed. People were 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.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet which met their needs and took account of their preferences. People had access to healthcare professionals as required.

We observed staff interacting with people and found they were kind and caring. Staff knew people well and responded to their needs in an understanding way. Through our observations and by looking at care and support plans, we found that people received personalised care which was responsive to their needs.

The provider had a complaints procedure in place and people were given opportunities to raise concerns.

The provider completed audits to ensure the service was running in line with their policies and procedures. People and their relatives were asked for feedback about the service and were kept up dated about any changes.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published 4 August 2016)

About the service:

Gardens Lane is a 12-bedded home providing care and support to adults with learning disabilities. It consists of two bungalows within their own grounds, and is in the Conisbrough area of Doncaster. At the time of our inspection there were eight people using the service.

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.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

The inspection took place on 13 July 2016 and was unannounced. The home was previously inspected in November 2014 and the service was meeting the regulations we looked at.

Gardens Lane is a 12 bedded home providing care and support to adults with learning disabilities. It consists of two bungalows within their own grounds, and is located in the Conisbrough area of Doncaster. At the time of our inspection there were 11 people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

At the time of our inspection the registered manager was on leave, therefore we were led by the nurse on duty, who is referred to throughout this report as the staff nurse.

Staff we spoke were knowledgeable about the process they would follow if they suspected abuse. They told us they received training in this area and would be able to recognise abuse.

We looked at the systems in place to manage people’s medicines and found this was done in a safe way. We looked at storage and records of medicine and found these were accurate.

We found the provider had a safe and effective system in place for employing new staff. We looked at four staff files and found them to contain pre-employment checks and other appropriate information.

Through our observations and speaking with people who used the service, their relatives and staff, we found there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs.

Risks associated with people’s care were identified and appropriate measures put in place to reduce the risk occurring.

From speaking with staff and looking at records, we found staff received relevant training to do their job well. Staff felt training was valuable and they felt supported by their managers.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff were keen to ensure people were at the centre of their care and that decisions were made in the person’s best interest.

We observed meal times and found that people were involved in deciding what they preferred to eat and drink. Snacks and drinks were available throughout the day.

People had access to healthcare professionals when required. We looked at care records and saw professionals such as speech and language therapist, and physiotherapists had been involved in their care.

Throughout our inspection we saw staff interacted well with people and it was evident that staff knew people well. We saw staff respected people and were kind and caring in their nature.

People had their needs assessed and plans of care and support were available which met their needs and preferences.

People took part in a range of activities and social events and were very happy living at the home.

Staff joined in conversations of interest with people.

The provider had a complaints procedure which was displayed in the main corridor of the home. People we spoke with and their relatives had no concerns about the service and were very complimentary.

There was evidence of good leadership at all levels. Staff knew their roles and responsibilities well and looked to senior staff for advice and guidance when required.

We saw audits were completed to ensure the quality of the service was good. Audits had action plans to ensure any issues were identified and resolved.

There was evidence that people who used the service had a voice and were given the opportunity to contribute ideas to the service.

During the inspection we saw how staff members interacted with people who lived at Gardens Lane. The staff appeared to know people very well and were respectful of their wishes and feelings. We spoke with three people who used the service. They all gave a very positive view of living at Gardens Lane.

We found that before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements.

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

People were protected from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dehydration.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

There was an effective complaints system available.

People expressed their views and were involved in making decisions about their care. We spoke with one person who told us that they decided how their bedroom should be decorated. Another person told us that they knew what was in their records, and described a time when they had contributed to their care plan.

People experienced care delivered in an unhurried and gentle manner, and staff gave people reassurance and talked through any care tasks that they were carrying out with the person they were supporting.

Care took place in an environment that was suitably designed and adequately maintained.

Staff received a high level of support and supervision, so that they were appropriately supported to carry out their duties and ensure that people received a good quality of care. One person told us “I like the staff.”

People’s care records were sufficiently detailed and up to date so that staff understood what people’s needs were and what steps they needed to take to ensure people’s needs were met.