Shaftesbury Court is a residential care home, registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to nineteen adults with learning or physical disabilities. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The accommodation is on a single storey level and is comprised of a large communal lounge area, with four ‘wings’ leading off of the lounge. Each wing has four bedrooms, shared bathroom and kitchen area. There was a bungalow attached to the service, which provides accommodation for up to four people. The service is also registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. This service was only being provided to one person at the time of the inspection.

A registered manager was in post; and both the registered manager and deputy manager were present during our inspection, as well as the regional 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. Staff told us they felt supported by the management team. Staff also expressed that they felt they could raise any concerns or feedback and that they would be listened to.

Infection control risks in relation to the environment were not always identified. We found out of date food stored in the fridges, as well as flaky paint and chipped surfaces preventing thorough cleaning of door frames and worktops. Other risks for individuals were identified, such as the risk of falls. These were assessed and detailed with appropriate actions and risk assessments in the care plans.

At the last comprehensive inspection in August 2015, the service was rated as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Requires Improvement’ in Safe. In the domain of Safe feedback was provided regarding the maintenance of the environment. Changes were made to address this; but at this inspection there were environmental areas of the service that had continued to need attention and these may not have been present at the last inspection – such as flaking paint, missing cupboard doors, stained flooring. Staff raised concerns at the length of time equipment took to be repaired and explained the knock on effect this had to the time they could spend with people

The management and staff teams had a very positive approach to the care and support that the service provided. We saw the team working efficiently and effectively together, with staff positively engaging with one another and each person they supported. Staff understood the values of the service and were invested in wanting to do the best for each person.

As part of the inspection we asked the registered manager to provide contact details for health and social care professionals who had involvement with the service. After the inspection, two professionals responded with their views. One professional said they had “no concerns at all” and another described the service as “very good, it is very person centred and they try everything they can to help people maintain their independence”.

Each person had a care plan and where possible staff encouraged and supported the person to be involved in the care planning process. There was a creative and modern approach to supporting people to be involved, including the use of a mobile phone application and an electronic tablet. One person preferred to discuss their care plan while receiving one-to-one time with a member of staff outside of the home, while on a walk.

Consent was sought before support was provided and staff evidenced an understanding of how to communicate with each person – using the communication tools where possible. Staff had a strong understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and could relate the principles of the act to the people they support

At the comprehensive inspection of this service in August 2015, overall the rating was good. However the safe use of bed and grab rails had not been documented and the home had not been maintained to ensure a safe environment. We issued a requirement notice to ensure the provider made improvements. Shortly after the inspection the provider wrote to us detailing how the identified shortfalls were to be addressed.

We carried out this unannounced focused inspection on 3 March 2017 to check the provider had followed their plan; and to confirm that they now met legal requirements. We found that action had been taken to improve the safety of people who use the service. Care plans and risk assessments included detailed information and guidance for people and staff to follow regarding the safe use of grab and bed rails. The home had undergone redecoration and refurbishments.

This report only covers our findings in relation to that requirement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for (location's name) on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Shaftesbury Court (Manor Close) provides accommodation (without nursing) and personal care for up to 19 adults, some of whom have learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. The accommodation for people is on single story level and comprises of a large communal area and four ‘wings’ each with four bedrooms, shared bathroom and kitchen area and a bungalow for up to four people. The service is also registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes.

Shaftesbury Court (Manor Close) provides accommodation (without nursing) and personal care for up to 19 adults, some of whom have learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. The accommodation for people is on single story level and comprises of a large communal area and four ‘wings’ each with four bedrooms, shared bathroom and kitchen area and a bungalow for up to four people. The service is also registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 17 people were living in the home and one person (who lived in their own home) received personal care.

This inspection took place on 10 August 2015 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People told us they felt safe, however risks regarding the safe use of bed rails had not been documented. This was a breach of Regulation 12(2)(a) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

Although the home was clean, the majority of the decor and fittings; such as flooring and doors and frames were shabby and worn. The registered manager showed us evidence of work expected to commence within the next two weeks to refurbish the flooring, doors and bathrooms. The work included redecorating walls and ceilings throughout communal areas. We saw this was highlighted in an internal quality audit recently, and since then the registered manager has been actively following up on the arrangements being made for the work to commence. The registered manager was aware of the potential breach in Regulation 15(1)(e) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and assured us the work will commence. We will be monitoring this with the registered manager and will take action if the home isn’t properly maintained within a timely manner.

The registered manager and staff had knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However two people’s consent to the safe use of bedrails had not been obtained. The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were positive about the care they received and praised the quality of the staff and management. Comments included “The staff know what they are doing”.

We observed staff interacting with people in a calm, relaxed and friendly manner, involving people in choices around their daily living. Communication between care staff and people they supported was engaging, humorous and encouraging.

The registered manager responded to all safeguarding concerns. There were systems in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and potential harm. Staff were aware of their responsibility to report any concerns they had about people’s safety and welfare.

People’s medicines were managed appropriately so people received them safely.

People were supported to eat and drink enough. Where people were identified at being at risk of malnutrition referrals had been made to appropriate nutritional specialists.

Staff told us they felt supported. Staff received training and supervision to enable them to meet people’s needs. There were enough staff deployed to fully meet people’s health and social care needs. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to ensure safe recruitment practices were followed.

We saw records to show formal complaints relating to the service had been dealt with effectively. People explained they were confident that any concerns or complaints they raised would be taken seriously and be dealt with promptly.

There were systems in place to respond to any emergencies or untoward events. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of service people received.