We carried out this inspection on 11 June 2015. The inspection was unannounced.
Ashley House is registered for a maximum of 13 people offering accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care and specialises in supporting adults with mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection there were 11 people living at the home, one person was in hospital.
A requirement of the service’s registration is that they have a registered 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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager left the service in July 2014. A new manager had been recruited to manage the service and was in the process of becoming the registered manager. We refer to the new manager as the manager in the body of this report.
At our last inspection on 1 April 2014, we found some concerns in four areas. These were safeguarding people who use services from abuse, and assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision. Also care and welfare of people who use services, and respecting and involving people who use services. Following this, the registered manager sent us an action plan which told us about the improvements they would make. At this inspection we found improvements had been made in these areas.
Care was provided that met people’s needs and we found there were enough staff to care for people safely. People’s health and social care needs were reviewed regularly, and staff referred to other health professionals when needed, so people were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing. Risk assessments were completed and plans minimised risks associated with people’s care.
People told us they felt safe at the home. Staff knew about safeguarding people and what to do if they suspected abuse. People were protected from harm as medicines were stored securely and systems ensured people received their medicine as prescribed. Checks were carried out prior to staff starting work at the service to make sure they were of good character and ensure their suitability for employment.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs). When there were concerns about people’s capacity to make decisions, we saw decisions were made in their best interests.
Staff had training to do their jobs effectively, in order to meet people’s care and support needs. Staff were encouraged to continue to develop their skills in the area of health and social care. Staff told us they felt supported by the management team so they could carry out their roles effectively.
People told us they liked living at the service. People’s nutritional needs were met and there was a variety of food available. Snacks and drinks could be accessed when people required these. People enjoyed taking part in organised activities, and many people chose to go out either individually or with care staff, and pursue their own interests.
Everyone we spoke with was positive about the management team and the running of the service. The manager knew the staff and people at the service well. We saw systems and checks made sure the environment was safe for people that lived there and that people received the care and support they needed. People knew how to complain if they wished to and complaints were actioned quickly and effectively.
People told us the staff were caring. We saw people were treated as individuals with their preferences and choices met where possible. Staff showed dignity and respect when providing care and all the people we spoke with were positive about the staff. Relatives were encouraged to be involved in supporting their family members where possible.