Jenny’s House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under a contractual agreement with the local authority, health authority or the individual, if privately funded. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Jenny’s House provides accommodation and personal care for people who have a learning disability. Respite care is provided for people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. The periods of respite care may be for a few days or longer depending on the individual's needs. Jenny’s House is an adapted detached residential property which can accommodate up to eight people. The service is situated in a residential area of Clacton on Sea and is close to amenities and main bus routes. The premises are set out on three floors with each person using the service having their own individual bedroom and adequate communal facilities are available for people to make use of within the service. At the time of our inspection three people were 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.' Registering the Right Support CQC policy.”

At our last inspection of this service on 08 December 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the evidence did not continue to support the rating of good and that the overall rating for the service was now Requires Improvement. The areas of Effective, Responsive and Well Led were rated as requires improvement at this inspection. We identified one breach of regulation at this inspection. This was in relation to governance. Systems for quality oversight were not fully established to show sustainability. We additionally made recommendations for the registered provider to address staff supervision, personalised care planning and training.

A registered manager was in post however was not present at the inspection. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff did not always receive the support, supervision and guidance from the management team that they required The exploration of other formats of learning for staff other than on line training would enhance staff’s competence in their role. We have made a recommendation regarding this.

At the time of our inspection medicines were observed to be administered safely. Systems were in place for the ordering, obtaining and returning of people's medicines. Staff had received training in the safe administration of medicines and their competency had been assessed by a member of the management team.

A variety of methods were used to ensure the care staff were kept up to date with people's needs.

People felt safe and were protected from the potential risk of harm and abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people and followed the provider's policy and procedure. People's personal belongings were protected from the potential risk of theft.

Potential risks to people had been assessed and steps were taken to reduce any risks. The premises were well maintained and equipment had been regularly serviced to ensure it was in good working order.

There were enough staff deployed to keep people safe and meet their needs. Staff were recruited safely following the provider's policy and procedures. Staff received training to meet people's needs including their specialist needs, however

The inspection took place on 08 December 2015 and was announced. Jenny's House is a care home without nursing, providing accommodation for up to eight people who require personal care. Jenny's House provides respite care for people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder. We announced this inspection to ensure people were at the service as the periods of respite care may be for a few days or longer depending on the individual's needs. At the time of our inspection there were two people staying at the service for a three day period.

The service had a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe because staff understood their responsibilities in managing and mitigating risk and identifying potential abuse. People received safe care that met their assessed needs. There were enough staff who had been recruited safely and who had the skills and knowledge to provide care and support in ways that people preferred. The provider had systems in place to manage medicines and people were supported to take their prescribed medicines safely.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Appropriate mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had been undertaken by relevant professionals. This ensured that the decision was taken in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, DoLS and associated Codes of Practice. The Act, Safeguards and Codes of Practice are in place to protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there is a need for restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed and decided by appropriately trained professionals. No-one at the service was subject to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff had been trained and had a good understanding of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Staff had developed positive, respectful relationships with people and were kind and caring in their approach. People were given choices in their daily routines and their privacy and dignity was respected. People were supported and empowered to be as independent as possible in all aspects of their lives.

Staff knew people well and were trained, skilled and competent in meeting people’s needs. Staff were supported and supervised in their roles. People were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care and support.

People’s health needs were managed appropriately with input from relevant health care professionals when required. Staff supported people to have sufficient food and drink that met their individual needs. People were treated with kindness and respect by staff who knew them well.

People were supported to maintain relationships with friends and family so that they were not socially isolated. There was an open culture and staff were supported to provide care that was centred on the individual.

The provider had systems in place to check the quality of the service and take the views and concerns of people and their relatives into account to make improvements to the service.

We observed that staff were attentive to people’s needs and treated them with respect and dignity calling them by their name. People told us “The staff are very nice, they know my relatives needs very well."

We saw that staff sought people’s agreement before providing any support and assistance. Care plans and risk assessments contained sufficient information for staff to be able to meet peoples assessed needs. One relative told us "The staff are very friendly and supportive to the people who go there".

We saw that staff had a good awareness of how to protect people who used the service from abuse. Information relating to what to do if you have any concerns regarding the abuse of vulnerable adults was displayed in the entrance hall.

We saw that there was a sufficient number and mix of senior and junior staff available throughout the day and night.

We saw that there was a complaint policy in place and that people also had access to an easy read version. These were displayed in the entrance hall. A relative we spoke with told us “I have no complaints about the service; the manager always checks with me that things have been okay.”

We were not able to speak with people using the service because, at the time of our inspection, there was no-one either living in Jenny’s House or staying there for a respite visit. However, we met two people using day services at Jenny’s Resource Centre who regularly stayed at Jenny’s House for respite care. One person told us that Jenny’s House was their, “holiday home” and they liked it there.

We gathered evidence of people’s experiences of the service by reviewing complaints and compliments records and surveys that were completed as part of the home’s quality assurance process. We found that relatives were happy with the service. One person was complimentary about staff and said, “They are good people and we trust them.” Another said their relative, “Can’t wait to go to Jenny’s place.”

One person with whom we spoke appeared to be comfortable and relaxed within their environment. The person was smiling and communicating in their preferred method, thus indicating that they felt happy and safe.

One person with whom we spoke was observed engaging with staff on an equal bass. The person looked very calm, relaxed and happy within their own environment.