We carried out an unannounced visit as part of this review. There were three people living in Kensington House all of them had lived in the service longer than ten years. The proprietors live in the large terraced house in with the people living in the service. Mrs McDowell is the registered manager of the service but both she and Mr McDowell have shared responsibility in the management and the delivery of the support to the people living there.
We met with the people living in the service and they gave us some verbal information about their views or experiences. We also observed how they were spoken to by the staff, and the way they responded. The people living in the service were being supported in their day to day activities and we saw that they were responding very positively to the staff (the manager and the proprietor).
One person living in the service showed us around their room and told us that they were very happy with the way it was decorated and had been personalised to their taste. They told us that they were happy with the items they had purchased which made it comfortable and well equipped. It had been decorated with pictures and memorabilia of their interests.
During our visit, the people using the service looked repeatedly to the staff for reassurance when we spoke to them, and the staff provided this support without it being intrusive or inappropriate.
We observed staff assisting the people living in Kensington House with their usual daily activities, including helping with some light domestic tasks, watching television or having meals. They responded to their needs in a professional and pleasant way, and were clear about how the individual was supported. These activities maximised people's independence while maintaining their safety and wellbeing. They were given a variety of choices about how they wanted to spend their time and were encouraged to go out for walks or shopping or to visit local amenities.
The atmosphere in the house was quiet and calm and the staff were very focused on the people they were supporting.