• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Jack Howarth House

75 Hill Top Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1PH (01865) 251271

Provided and run by:
Scope

All Inspections

5 November 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

In this report the name of a registered manager appears who was not in post and not managing the regulated activities at this location at the time of the inspection.

We conducted this visit because safeguarding concerns were raised by the service, and to follow up on one area of non-compliance raised at the last inspection in March 2013. Concerns had been raised by staff with senior managers at Scope that people were not treated with dignity and respect. The provider had taken immediate action in response to these concerns, including suspending some staff and appointing an interim manager. The provider worked closely with the local safeguarding team and action was being taken to prevent suspended staff from working in other care settings whilst investigations were on-going.

People were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had systems in place which meant they had responded immediately to safeguarding concerns. Immediate actions taken ensured that people were safe and their needs were met by skilled and experienced staff.

We found that people were treated with dignity and respect. We saw that care workers treated people with genuine care. People's physical care needs were met. People were not always meaningfully engaged in social activities. Care records were not always accurate.

The provider had taken action to improve the quality of the service. However, the provider did not have appropriate systems to seek the views of people or their relatives.

12 March 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four people using the service and six members of staff during the inspection.

Two people who used the service indicated that they were happy with their rooms. One person said that staff listened to them and enabled them to make decisions about their care. Two members of staff did not engage with people using the service when assisting them to do things.

People living at the service had comprehensive care plans, which evidenced people's preferences and how they liked their care needs to be met. Documentation had not been completed for a person using the service for respite care. Staff sought the input of other professionals to ensure that people's care needs were met.

Staff had attended training and were knowledgeable about safeguarding adults. The manager had implemented the safeguarding policy appropriately and supported people involved.

Staff described a 'really friendly atmosphere' and said that 'it's like a family situation.' The manager supported the training and development of staff, and staff described the training as 'good.' A comprehensive system of supervision and appraisals was in place.

Reviews of the service were undertaken each month by managers of other homes. The views of people using the service, their families, staff and GPs were sought on an annual basis. There was an action plan for the service, which was reviewed each month by the managers line manager and underpinned service development.

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People living in the home all had their own individual methods of communication. People were able to tell us that they had their own bedroom and that they participated in how it was decorated and furnished. People stated that they liked to have their own things around them. They told us they liked the food and were involved with 'picking' the menu and shopping.

People said they were kept well informed of any changes and that they could contact the care coordinator if they had any concerns.

29 March and 1 April 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

People told us that they liked the home and were happy to live there. They liked the staff that looked after them and told us that there were always people around to look after them. They told us they enjoyed being with staff and that they went out with staff quite often. People had a good range of activities to keep them busy and entertained. Activities included playing games, watching television and videos and going out to pubs, restaurants and the theatre. People told us that they had their own bedroom and that they took part in how it was decorated and furnished. People liked to have there own things around them. They told us they liked the food and they were involved with picking the menus. Staff told us that although they had not had a manager for some time they felt supported to do the job. Staff told us they enjoyed working in the home and that they were given good opportunities to undergo training, both basic and more advanced. Permanent staff were encouraged to take the National Vocational Qualification in care. We were shown feedback forms from relatives and those involved with people in the home and these showed that people thought the home was a good place for their relatives to be.