People who live in the home were able to explain to us that staff provided much of the care and support they needed. People were able to do many things for themselves but often declined or preferred staff members to do things for them. One person said 'I do my own laundry, clean my room and make a sandwich at lunchtime. That's all I do really and I know other people don't even do that'. Another person said 'staff do most things here, they do all the cooking, cleaning and laundry'.People spoken with told us that they were able to make decisions about their lives, but they were not always clear on the risks and benefits. One person said 'we have house meetings and I have my own reviews with my social worker and my mum comes. They have read me my care plan'. Another person said 'it's alright being here. I try my best to look after myself, they say that is what you have to do now. I go to the house meetings, they are alright but I can't remember what we talk about though. I know I have a care plan, I wouldn't like to see it though'.
People do go out, but the activities people choose are limited and some people told us that activities they previously enjoyed and took part in regularly have now stopped. One person said 'I can go out when I please. I'm quite happy with everything but I would like to go out to watch football. A member of staff used to take me but they left and they haven't got the time here now. (The provider told us following our visit that a member of staff has been allocated to take this individual to the matches when they wish to attend). I would also love to see the cricket in Taunton but I can't get there'. The provider told us following our visit that this individual 'has never shown an interest in cricket and has never requested that staff take him to watch cricket'. Another person said 'I would like to go out more but there are not so many staff now'.
People who live in the home told us they generally felt well cared for and that staff were usually available when they need them. People told us they usually attend their review meeting and some people told us they had their care plan explained to them.
One person said 'I'm quite happy with everything and I have made some friends here'. Another person told us 'it's alright here I suppose. I keep my own cigarettes and I'm going for a walk into town later. I always have a shower in the morning. I try my best to look after myself'.
Not everyone said they were entirely happy living at the home. One person told us one staff member 'shouts at me if I don't do something I'm suppose to and I don't like it'. We discussed this issue the manager who said this had happened before and this had been addressed with this staff member. Another person told us 'I'm very unhappy here and I'd like to get moved. I don't have many friends here. Most of the staff I can get on with, but not all of them'.
We asked people about how they choose to spend their money. One person told us 'I look after my money, it goes straight into the bank'. Another person told us 'staff look after my money for me. I get my money on a Thursday. Staff took me out to buy new bedding and things for my room and I paid for it myself. Staff cancel [one activity they enjoy] though if I don't clean my room'. We were told by the provider following our visit that this is not a practice that occurs now.
Some people choose to smoke and spend much of their money on this. 'I keep my cigarettes in the day but I have to hand in my cigarettes and lighter to staff at night. I should get my own cigarettes but a member of staff usually gets them for me'. Another person said 'I have one cigarette an hour and I have to ask staff for them'. During our visit we observed one person having to knock and wait outside the office for their cigarettes.
People told us they met with their care coordinators when they had review meetings. They also said they saw their GP if they were unwell. We saw in people's records that they had access to opticians, dentist, district nurses, mental health professionals and a chiropodist.
People who live at the home do not always get along with each other. There was a recent incident where one person who lives in the home assaulted another person they share the home with. This resulted in one person receiving a small cut to the head and they were taken to hospital for for treatment.
We were told that there are some restrictions placed upon people. If people do not wish to bathe or shower they are asked not to use some communal areas. One person told us 'staff cancel [one activity they enjoy] though if I don't clean my room'. We were told by the provider following our visit that this is not a practice that occurs now. Most staff had not been trained in the Mental Capacity Act or the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and it is therefore not clear if staff consider these when imposing restrictions upon people.
People made different comments about their home. In general people said they were happy with their home and felt it was generally kept clean and tidy. Some people told us they kept their own room clean, but others told us that staff did this for them. One person said 'staff do most things here, they do all the cleaning'.
Many people we spoke with were happy to show us their rooms. Some were very clean and tidy but others were not. Some people told us they had chosen the colour scheme for their room and had bought some of the furnishings. One person said 'staff took me out to buy new bedding and things for my room' and another person told us 'I have everything I think I need. I've got a TV, lots of books and I keep my room clean'.
Accommodation is arranged over four floors and this may not always suit some of the people who live in the home as there is no lift. One person told us 'my bedroom is on the second floor, up two flights of stairs. I find it difficult to use the stairs sometimes and I have to use my walking stick to come down'. The provider told us following our visit that how this person chooses to present himself in relation to his mobility varies each day. One of the laundry areas is not accessible to people who live in the home, due to its location and is kept locked. This means that only staff are able to use this facility.
Most people told us they liked the staff who supported them, but some people said they did not get on with all the staff who work in the home. One person said 'most of the staff I can get on with. I do like [three members of staff who they named] but I can't get on with [two named members of staff]'. Another person spoke about one staff member and said 'she was nice'.