We inspected this home on 21 July 2015. This was an unannounced Inspection. The home was registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 25 older people. At the time of our inspection 21 people were living at the home some of whom were living with dementia or who had additional mental health needs. Nursing care was not provided. The accommodation was provided in both single and shared bedrooms; the home had bedrooms and bathrooms on the ground and first floor. There were shared lounges and dining facilities on the ground floor. Lift access was available to all floors.
The registered manager was present during our inspection. 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 legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.
People using this service were safe. Staff knew how to recognise when people might be at risk of harm, and were aware of the provider’s procedures for reporting any concerns. There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm. People told us they were encouraged to raise any concerns they had.
All the people, relatives and staff we spoke with told us there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had been trained and had been supported to obtain qualifications to enable them to ensure that care provided was safe and followed good/best practice guidelines. Robust recruitment checks were in place to ensure new staff were suitable to work in the home.
People had received their medicines safely. We observed staff practising good medicine administration. We checked records and stocks of medicines and these indicated people had received their medicines as the doctor had prescribed.
Care plans contained guidelines and risk assessments to provide staff with information that would protect people from harm. Measures had been put into place to ensure risks were managed appropriately; ensuring people were involved in making decisions which minimised restrictions on their freedom, choice and independence.
People were supported to stay healthy. Opportunities were provided and people were supported to have access to a wide range of health care professionals.
People’s nutritional and dietary needs had been assessed and people were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts to maintain good health. People told us they had access to a variety of food and drinks which they liked and enjoyed.
Staff we spoke with were aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). They had ensured people received the assessments and support they required and had made the necessary applications to the local supervisory body for Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People’s needs had been assessed and care plans developed to inform staff how to support people in the way they preferred.
People who lived in this home and where appropriate people’s relatives, told us that they were happy with the care provided and that people were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. People told us they continued to pursue individual interests and hobbies that they had earlier in life.
People knew how to raise complaints and the provider had arrangements in place so that people were listened to and action could be taken to make any necessary improvements.
We received consistent feedback that Stennards (Kings Norton) was a good place to live, to work and to visit. People told us the home was well-led by approachable managers.