We set out to answer our five questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records.
If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
We spoke with 10 people who lived in the home. They all told us that staff were very friendly and always helped them.
We spoke with two relatives who stated they had been satisfied with the service.
We observed life in the home to see if people were treated properly and their needs were met. We found that staff were friendly, helpful and caring.
This was largely a positive mixed inspection. People living in the home we spoke with told us said that the care that staff supplied was very good. We observed a number of positive staff practices. However, we also found that the premises had not been maintained to create a homely environment and to always keep people safe.
There were a number of suggestions made to us during the inspection by people and staff: to have proper staff cover at all times, and to have attractive decor throughout the home. The manager later sent us information stating that staff cover would be increased and the directors had approved plans to improve the decor.
Is the service safe?
People told us they felt safe. Two relatives we spoke with also said they thought their relatives were safe in the service.
The service was clean, however lighting levels in some areas were dim. This meant that people may not be protected from the risk of accidents. Fire systems had not been fully evidenced as being serviced .There was therefore a greater chance of risks to peoples' safety.
We looked at the recruitment of new staff. This showed that required recruitment checks to protect people from unsuitable staff were being followed.
We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to providing a homely and safe environment.
Is the service effective?
People or their families had not always been involved in writing their care plans. Some people told us that they were not aware of what was in their care plans.
Specialist dietary needs had been included within care plans and care staff told us that they had read these. Care plans were therefore able to support staff consistently to meet people's needs.
People's mobility and other needs were taken into account in relation to building adaptation, enabling people to move around freely.
Relatives we spoke with confirmed that they were able to see people in private and that visiting times were flexible. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to people's needs and involving people in planning their care.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. People commented, 'Staff are always gentle when they help me.' A relative told us; 'staff are really nice and always welcome you when you visit.'
People's preferences, interests, and needs had been recorded. Because of this there was a greater chance that care and support could be provided in accordance with people's wishes.
Is the service responsive?
Records showed that people's preferences, interests and needs had been included in care plans. This meant that the service was informed about people's needs.
There was no evidence that people using the service and relatives were involved in the completion of an annual satisfaction survey. However, staff and relevant professionals were provided with this opportunity. People were therefore at some risk of not having their concerns and needs properly taken into account.
We found that the manager was in the process of promoting more dementia friendly facilities with regard to providing appropriate activities and the design and layout of the premises, taking account of expert bodies such as the Alzheimer's society.
Is the service well-led?
Staff said that if they witnessed poor practice they would report their concerns.
The service had a quality assurance system to assess and monitor the quality of service provision. However, the system did not fully ensure that staff were able to provide feedback to their managers, so their knowledge and experience was not being properly taken into account.
There was evidence that the service worked in partnership with key organisations, including specialist medical personnel to support care provision and service development.
We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to strengthen quality assurance systems.