A WINCHESTER care home that looks after young adults with learning disabilities and autism has been told it “requires improvement” in its latest inspection report.

Otterbourne Grange Residential Care Home on Grange Road was told it required improvement in its most recent CQC report, publish on August 20.

The home, which provides accommodation and personal care to up to 25 people who may be living with dementia, was told it required improvements in three out of five categories.

While reviewing the category "Safe", inspectors looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

They found that some aspects of the service were not always safe and there was "limited assurance" about safety.

In one case, as reported by the CQC, one person was at risk of isolation, did not communicate verbally and was unable to use the call bell for assistance.

The registered manager told inspectors staff regularly went to the person's bedroom, however, on the day of the inspection there had been fewer staff in that area of the home due to maintenance work.

The person was therefore left alone in their room with maintenance work being completed by an external contractor in the hallway.

In another case, one person had been discharged from hospital and their discharge documents said they were at a high risk of developing a blood clot but it had not been identified by staff and a risk assessment or a care plan put into place to minimise the risk.

The report said: " People were not always protected against risks associated with their care and support because risks had not been effectively assessed and plans implemented to reduce these.

"One person's file noted they were at, "high risk of suicide" but there was no risk assessment or other documentation to manage this risk."

When observed for how “Effective” the care home was, inspectors look for evidence that people's care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life.

The report said: "People were not always supported by staff who were trained to meet their needs.

"There was a programme of staff training which included, for example, fire safety, food hygiene, falls prevention, end of life care and dementia. However, not all staff had received training to meet the specific health care needs of people."

The category "Well-led" was also branded "requires improvement.

This meant the service management and leadership was inconsistent. Leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care.

The two other categories inspected by CQC - “Caring” and “Responsive” - were rated ‘good’.

The Chronicle has contacted the care home but has not yet had a response.