The unannounced inspection took place on the 28 February 2017, by two inspectors.

Dolphin Court provides personal care and accommodation for up to seventeen people who are living with a learning disability, physical disability and/or acquired brain injury. The majority of people living at the service were independent and required limited support with personal care however there was a minority of individuals with more complex needs requiring more support than others. There is a large communal room on the ground floor with easy access to an enclosed garden area with summer house. There is a lift to bedrooms on the first and second floors.

The service had a registered manager 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.

Since our last focused inspection on 18 May 2016, the service had sustained the initial, immediate improvements that had been made. Further improvements had been identified and were being driven by the registered manager, such as the consistency of staff recording information. However, quality assurance systems were in place and being used effectively by the registered manager and provider to monitor the service provided to people. Effective leadership was clearly present within the service to drive the improvements identified by the systems.

There were sufficient members of staff working within the service which meant people’s individual needs were consistently met within reasonable time frames. People’s medicines were managed appropriately and concerns were responded to by management. The service worked with local authorities and professionals to ensure best practice. A robust recruitment process was in place and staff were employed upon completion of appropriate checks.

Staff appraisals had not been completed, however staff were provided with individual supervision, training and staff meetings to facilitate support form management. The registered manager confirmed that annual appraisals were planned and would be effectively implemented. People were supported by staff to access healthcare services and attend health appointments. Support plans were updated with professional’s guidance to help staff support people safely. People’s dietary requirements were delivered safely and people were given choice which staff respected.

Management and staff understood their responsibilities and the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Decisions were made in people’s best interests with the involvement of appropriate persons, which ensured people’s rights were protected and that freedom was not being inappropriately restricted.

Staff and management were caring towards people and relatives. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity was valued. Care continued to be provided in a way that intended to promote people’s independence and wellbeing for the majority of people.

People were supported to carry out their own daily interests independently or achieve them with the assistance of staff. People who had decreased independence were supported by staff to be involved in activities, if they chose to. A complaints system was in place and people knew how to use it.

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on the 29 February, 02, 03 and 15 March 2016. Breaches of legal requirements were found. We told the provider that they must meet specific legal requirements by 24 April 2016. During our focused inspection on 18 May 2016 we found that although the service needed to sustain continued improvement, they had met all the outstanding requirements and were now compliant with previously breached regulations. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements. You can read the report of our last comprehensive inspection on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Dolphin Court provides personal care and accommodation for up to seventeen people who are living with a disability. The majority of people living at the service were independent and required limited support with personal care however there was a minority of individuals with more complex needs requiring more support than others.

A new manager had been appointed on 4 April 2016 and was in the process of becoming registered with the commission. 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.

We looked at records in respect of people’s care and treatment and found that improvements had been made. Records regarding people’s nutrition, weight, pressure relieving equipment and infection control were being maintained and audited.

Since our last inspection, although improvements were still ongoing systems had been put in place to support quality assurance processes and improve the care people received.

The unannounced inspection took place on the 29 February, 02, 03 and 15 March 2016.

Dolphin Court provides personal care and accommodation for up to seventeen people who are living with a disability. The majority of people living at the service were independent and required limited support with personal care however there was a minority of individuals with more complex needs requiring more support than others.

The service does not currently have a registered manager however recruitment processes were underway to appoint a registered manager. The service is required to have a registered manager. 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.

The service needed to improve their quality assurance systems. Although some systems were in place, effective leadership was needed within the service to drive the improvements identified by the systems. The deputy manager was new to managing the service and required more support from the provider in the interim period whilst a new registered manager was being recruited.

Accurate records in respect of people’s care and treatment had not been maintained for people with more complex needs to mitigate risks to their health.

Insufficient members of staff meant people’s individual needs could not be consistently met within reasonable time frames. In general people were supported to carry out their own daily interests independently or achieve them with the assistance of staff, if requested. However there was a lack of activities for people with more complex needs.

Management and staff understood their responsibilities and the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Action plans had been created which identified areas of improvement. However, the lack of management and direction had led to a lack of assurance that appropriate measures were being actioned to protect people’s rights and that freedom was not being inappropriately restricted.

Staff supported people to ensure they received access to healthcare services when required. Staff also worked with a range of health professionals, such as speech and language therapists and GPs, to implement care and support plans.

Qualified staff supported people satisfactorily with the administration of their medications. A robust recruitment process was in place and staff were employed upon completion of appropriate checks.

Staff were respectful and caring towards people ensuring privacy and dignity was valued. Care was provided in a way that intended to promote people’s independence and wellbeing for the majority of people.

People told us that they were very happy with the care and support provided at Dolphin Court. People said, "I am very happy here, I feel safe and the staff are kind and caring," "I feel lucky and am supported to live my life how I want to," and, "The staff are very good and supportive."

We saw that people's care needs were assessed and planned for with any risks associated with their care being minimised as far as possible. The service was caring, supportive and responsive to people's changing needs. Staff sought support from other professionals or agencies when needed.

We saw that people were supported to follow their own interests. Opportunities for activity and occupation were available.

People told us that they enjoyed the variety and choice of food available at Dolphin Court. We found that people's nutritional needs were assessed and monitored to ensure their on-going wellbeing.

The service was kept clean and provided a hygienic place for people to live.

We found that the service had suitable systems in place to listen to people's views and monitor quality. This helped to ensure an effective, good quality and safe service.

Suitable records relating to people's care and the running of the service were maintained.

Many of the people living at Dolphin Court are independent and come and go as they wish. We visited on a Sunday where we found that the majority of people were out, visiting friends and relatives. We spoke with two people to find out what it was like to live in Dolphin Court. One person told us that,”I am very happy with the service, the staff are really good and provide me with as much or little support as I need”. This person told us that they have all the equipment they need to maintain their mobility and that they were able to get “Out and about on my own, which makes me feel independent”.

Another person spoken with was very complimentary about the service. They told us that, when they first came out of hospital, Dolphin Court and the staff had been a “God send”. They told us that they had received the right amount of support to help them to regain their independence, so much so that, they were now looking to move on into their own flat in the community.

We found that records relating to people who used the service were not being properly completed to provide an accurate reflection of their needs. Records relating to people’s safety and wellbeing were not readily accessible. The environment and equipment provided was fit for purpose. Staff had received training and spoke knowledgably about the people they provided care and support to.

People told us that they were very happy living in Dolphin Court. They felt that they were treated as individuals by staff. People said that they were involved with their care and offered choices about what they did. People also said that their independence was encouraged. They felt that their maintained their autonomy and followed their own routines as far as possible.

People spoke well of the staff who they felt were kind and understanding.

People said that the spacious accommodation provided at the home met their needs. They enjoyed having their own flats and their own space to entertain.