Dimensions 123 Calmore Road

This report from the Care Quality Commission provides an overview of Dimensions 123 Calmore Road, a residential care home for individuals with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The inspection focused on how well the service meets the needs of its residents and ensures their safety and well-being. The findings indicate that the home is generally well-run, with a strong emphasis on personalised care and staff understanding of resident needs. However, there are areas identified for improvement to further enhance the quality of care and management practices.

On safety, the home ensures staff are well-trained in safeguarding and would report concerns. Risks like environmental hazards and behavioural challenges are assessed and managed. Recruitment processes are robust, with thorough checks for new staff. While sufficient staff are available, some require more guidance. A chipped medicine cabinet was an infection control risk, and plans are in place to replace it.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs are thoroughly assessed and support plans are detailed and regularly reviewed. Staff receive comprehensive induction and ongoing training. The service supports residents in maintaining a balanced diet and promotes independence in meal preparation. The home's premises are adapted to residents' needs, with personalised rooms and accessible facilities, although some adjustments for noise sensitivity and laundry access were in progress. Residents are supported to access healthcare services, and the home is involved in medication reduction programmes.

Regarding how caring the service is, staff generally treat residents with respect and dignity, promoting independence. Residents are supported in expressing their views and making choices about their daily lives. Staff are skilled at interpreting residents' communication, including non-verbal cues. However, a specific instance of a staff member speaking disrespectfully about a resident was noted, and an inappropriate 'shushing' of a resident was also highlighted.

In terms of how responsive the service is, care is planned collaboratively with residents and their relatives to meet individual needs and preferences. The home supports residents in engaging with the community and accessing activities, although the current activity provision is minimal, with plans to expand it. Changes in management had previously unsettled staff, leading to high turnover and sickness, but a new management team is in place and working to improve staff morale. Regular staff supervisions had fallen behind schedule, but a plan to address this is in place.

On how well-led the service is, there have been significant changes in the management team, which have impacted staff morale. Monthly staff meetings had not consistently taken place as planned. While a new management team is in place and beginning to improve staff morale, further development is needed in consistent leadership and operational planning. The provider is actively working on addressing the identified points of improvement.