The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: The Gables

109 St Pauls Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1EY (0121) 558 6085

Provided and run by:
Kaleidoscope Plus Group

All Inspections

7 February 2014

During a routine inspection

There were 10 people living there on the day of our inspection. We spoke with seven people who lived there, four members of staff and the registered manager. The registered manager told us that the home was due to close by 31 March 2014. This was because the local authority was not providing the funding needed to maintain the standard required and the organisation were no longer able to cover the shortfall. Some people had recently moved out and plans were being made for other people to move to suitable accommodation. Some staff would be made redundant as a result of the closure. Other staff would move to the providers other home to work there.

All people spoken with told us that staff had supported them through the change of moving to new homes. One person said, 'I suppose I'll get used to the new home, my relative knows all about it and was asked about it.'

Staff had the information they needed to know how to support people who lived there to meet their individual needs.

People told us that staff gave them their medicines when they needed them. Medicine managements systems in place were safe so that people received their medicines as prescribed to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

People lived in a safe, comfortable and clean home. One person told us, 'I like it here, I can come and go as I please and it's always clean.'

There were sufficient staff who had the appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure that people's needs were met.

People, their relatives and staff were asked for their views about the home and we saw that these were listened to.

5 December 2012

During a routine inspection

Our inspection was unannounced, which meant that no one knew that we would be visiting. There were 13 people living there when we visited and another person moved into the home during the day. We spoke with eight people living there, five members of staff and the manager.

The people living there told us and we saw that they could make choices about their lives.

We saw that people were encouraged to do things for themselves so promoting their independence skills and self esteem.

We saw that people were supported to have regular health checks of their physical and mental health to ensure their well being. Staff supported people when needed to attend health appointments. We saw that staff followed health professionals advice to ensure that people's health needs were met.

Systems were in place to ensure that people were safeguarded from harm. We saw that people were comfortable in the company of staff and they spent time talking with and listening to people. One person told us, 'It's a nice place to live and staff help you out.'

Staff received the training they needed so they knew how to support the people living there. Staff told us they were well supported in their role. One person said, 'The staff are alright here.'

People were asked for their views about the home and these were listened to. Where risks to people's safety and welfare were identified, action was taken to make improvements.

8 February 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this review to check on the care and welfare of people using this service.

We spoke with three people who resided at The Gables and we looked at their care plans. We also spoke with three members of staff and asked what people's care needs were.

People told us that they were involved in their care. People told us that staff went through their care plan between every two to four weeks to discuss their needs.

People told us that 'Staff chat to me and go through my care plan' and that 'Someone sits with me every fortnight and feel involved'.

Another person told us that 'Staff have gone though care plan' and 'Get the support that is needed'. One person told us that 'Sometimes the care plan isn't lived up to as the support could be better'.

We observed that people were being supported during our visit and saw that people were well presented, clean and looked content.

People told us that they are 'Asked questions about the Gables, staff chat face to face' and that 'People listen to me'. One person told us that 'Staff are friendly and supportive'.

People also told us that 'Staff are helpful' and 'Have cord in bedroom, staff are quick to respond if needed'.

One person told us that 'in residents' meetings, we talk how things are, I find it useful and they happen often'.

People told us that the 'meals are nice and sometimes we have takeaway' and the 'Caribbean food night was lovely'. There had been a recent Caribbean food themed event which people told us they really enjoyed.

We saw that there were two entries in the compliments book which stated 'had a very informative visit, inclusion was a major part of my visit' and 'staff made us feel welcome, dignity and privacy or residents was evidence and a strong community atmosphere has always been seen in this home'.