About the service:

Shear Meadow is a residential care home that was providing personal care to four people with a learning disability, autism or mental health condition at the time of this inspection.

The service has been developed 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.

People’s experience of using this service:

People’s relatives told us the care was safe and were happy with the care provided. One relative said, “[Person] is very safe and well cared for. Everybody is good at recognising the triggers and they will get in touch and ask for advice if things happen.”

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who knew how to keep them safe from harm. One staff member said, “It is pushed at the minute, but that’s while we wait for the two new starters. Usually, we aren’t rushed, cover sickness ourselves, staffing is okay.”

Staff knew how to identify when people may be at risk of harm, and how to raise their concerns. Staff had access to a confidential phone line to raise anonymous concerns and also knew to contact the local authority if needed.

Risks to people’s safety and welfare had been identified and staff ensured these were safely managed. Staff were supported in their role through induction, supervision and training and told us they enjoyed working at the service.

People medicines were managed safely and administered when they needed them. People lived in a clean environment and staff followed clear guidance when delivering care to protect people from the risk of infection.

People were supported by staff who had received appropriate training and were well supported by management. People’s consent was obtained and when people were unable to provide this consent, it was obtained within legal requirements. People were supported to make healthy choices with their diet.

People were encouraged to be independent, to develop life skills and to take part in activities and hobbies they were interested in. People’s relatives felt able to raise complaints which were responded to.

People’s relatives, staff and health professionals told us the service was well led. The registered manager and staff knew people and their care needs well. Staff told us the registered manager was supportive, approachable and knowledgeable.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and make improvements where needed. The service worked in partnership with a range of agencies to improve the quality of care provided.

Rating at last inspection:

The service was registered on 13 July 2017. This was the first inspection of Shear Meadow.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.