Care service description

Lilas House is a residential care home for six people with learning difficulties. At the time of our inspection there were six people living in the home.

There was a registered manager in the home. 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 last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good

People were cared for in a safe way by staff who knew how to protect people from abuse. Individual risks to people and within the environment were identified and steps were taken to manage known risks.

There was consistently enough staff to support people and safe recruitment practices ensured that only suitable staff were employed. Staff received training relevant to their role and were supported through regular supervisions with the registered manager.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People were supported to maintain a healthy nutritional intake and prompt referrals were made to relevant healthcare professional when concerns were raised about a person’s health.

Staff were caring and treated people with respect. People’s privacy and dignity were constantly upheld. Staff understood what was important to people and knew their care needs well. People felt listened to and were supported to be as independent as possible.

People’s care plans were detailed and people were involved in the planning of their care.

There was clear and visible leadership in place and staff understood what was expected of them. Regular quality monitoring of the service was carried out to ensure that people received a good level of care.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector on 6 February and was unannounced.

Lilas House provides accommodation, care and support for up to six people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were six people living in the home.

The home had a registered manager in post. 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 understood how to recognise and report concerns if they suspected people were experiencing abuse. Staff had also received appropriate training in respect of protecting people. People told us that they felt safe living in the home.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff, who received regular support and supervision, as well as training that was relevant to their roles. Robust recruitment procedures were in place and staff were only employed within the home after all pre-employment checks had been completed satisfactorily.

Medicines were stored, managed and administered safely.

People’s care records contained appropriately detailed risk assessments and guidance for staff to follow, which covered relevant aspects of people’s daily lives. These helped ensure that people were supported and cared for safely and that risks to their health, welfare and safety were minimised.

Staff interacted with people in a natural, warm and friendly manner and people were comfortable in the presence of all members of staff.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. We found that the manager and staff were knowledgeable about when a request for a DoLS would be required.

People’s individual dietary needs were catered for in line with their care plans and people were able to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink.

All the people living in the home were involved in planning their own care and support. Care records were person centred and provided clear information regarding people’s histories, as well as their needs, preferences and choices.

People undertook work, hobbies and leisure activities of their choosing. People also chose when and what they wanted to do and where they wanted to spend their time.

Everyone we spoke with told us that they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to and that they felt they were listened to and any concerns taken seriously.

People living in the home were fully involved in the running of the home, including many aspects relating to the further improvement and the development of the service as a whole.

The home was being effectively managed and regular audits were completed, covering areas such as safeguarding, medication, health and safety, care plans and the overall environment.

One person we spoke with told us, “I love living here. I’m always busy…”

This person also told us, “I go through my care folders every month with my keyworker. I know what’s in them and I know what’s written in ‘My Health’ book. We have a full review of my care every year with me, my family, the manager, my keyworker and social services”.

Another person told us, “I love it here, I really do! I used to get lonely when I lived on my own but living here is just right”.

When we asked who chose the meals for the coming week, one person replied, “We all do. We have a group discussion and we have a menu book to help us choose what we want…”

One person we spoke with told us, “I have a locking box in my room for my medicine; I prefer the staff to look after it and they usually give it to me on time”.

A member of staff we spoke with told us that they were very well supported by the manager and the organisation as a whole. This person told us that they received one-to-one supervisions every two months and also received an annual appraisal with their manager.

When we asked people whether they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to, they made comments such as: “Yes; I needed to complain once and everything was answered and sorted out…” And, “The staff know me; I always say what I think…”

When we asked who they would speak to if they had a problem or complaint, one person replied, “Usually the manager but any of the staff…”

One person we spoke with told us that they knew what information was in their care plans and that they were involved in making decisions about their care and support.

Another person told us that they had recently moved from another home nearby, also owned by Jeesal Residential Services Limited. The person explained that this was because their health and mobility needs had changed and Lilas House was more able to meet them. They also told us that it was, "Lovely, because I still keep in touch with all my mates and see them regularly".

People we spoke with made other comments such as: "We've all got good staff here." "Staff never tell us what to say, I always say what I want." And, "We have meetings every Tuesday night. We sit together in the lounge and talk about things we've done and staff chat to see if everything's all right. We also choose the menus between us."

Everybody we spoke with told us that their privacy and dignity were respected by staff.

One person we spoke with told us: "I couldn't be happier. The staff are marvellous and look after us all really well. They know all about my health problems and do everything to help me." Another person told us: "The staff are really kind and the other tenants are very kind and caring. They know when I'm having a low day."

Two people we spoke with told us they felt totally safe and well protected in Lilas House.

One person said: "The staff are never nasty and, if they ever were, I would go straight to the manager or senior and tell them." This person also told us: "We look after each other here and if we don't want to tell the manager or seniors about a problem or something we think is wrong, we can ring the owner and she'll come over straight away. I did that once, a long time ago, and the owner sorted everything out."

One person told us: "I love my room, I've got everything I need and everything's the way I like it." Another person said: "I can have a key to my room if I want but I prefer not to."

Although we were able to speak with some people not everyone using this service was able to communicate verbally. Staff assisted those who wished to let us know their views and we spent some time in the communal areas of the home observing what was going on.

People we spoke with told us that Lilas House was their home and everyone told us they were very happy living there.

People told us that staff always spoke nicely to them. One person told us that everyone was treated equally and everyone got their fair share of staff attention.

During our inspection we noted that there was a happy atmosphere. Interactions between staff and people using the service were relaxed and friendly.

People told us that they were well cared for and felt safe at Lilas House. We were told that the staff were always around to help people when they needed it.