2 May 2014
During a routine inspection
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, speaking with people using the service, a relative, advocate, staff supporting them and from looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
A change of providers had recently taken place as registered by the Commission on the 5 March 2014. People were kept informed and further meetings had been arranged to give people opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions they may have about the services provided by Affinity Trust.
The provider had identified action points with set timescales to improve records and to promote health and safety procedures. These included review of peoples support plans, induction of all existing and new staff that included updated health and safety training.
Peoples support plans although under review, instructed staff how to meet people's needs in a way which minimised risk for the individual. People's diversity, values and human rights were respected. Staff reported that the new format of support plans were easier to reference key areas that kept people safe whilst respecting choices they had made.
Safeguarding procedures were robust and staff had a clear understanding of their responsibilities with regard to protecting the people in their care. There had been no safeguarding referrals made. Staff understood mental capacity, consent, choice and deprivation of liberties safeguards (DoLS).
Systems were in place to make sure that managers and staff continually monitored the quality of care offered to people. Health and safety was taken seriously by the home and all the appropriate safety checks had been completed. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.
Is the service effective?
People and their relatives or advocates were given information about the new provider and were invited to meetings to discuss questions that they may have about the services provided. People told us they were happy living in the home and felt informed and involved in decisions made in the running of the home.
People's health and support needs were assessed with them, and/or their relatives, advocate as appropriate. People's preferences, interests and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.
A review of staff training had taken place by the provider as part of their action plan and as identified within the provider's 2014 audit of services provided within the home. Staff either had or were scheduled to attend updated provider induction and updated training to support people's diverse and changing needs.
Is the service caring?
People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. We saw that staff responded quickly and sensitively if people either asked for or indicated that they needed help. People commented the staff were: 'nice' and 'lovely'. A relative said of the services provided: 'it seems to me to be very good; I don't think they can do things any differently'.
Is the service responsive?
People completed a range of activities in and outside the service regularly, but mostly as provided at day care services they attended. The provider has identified within their action plan improvements needed to support engagement of more meaningful activities for people within the home.
People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy and were confident to approach staff or the manager with regard to concerns. One person said: 'I was upset this morning' and was observed telling staff. Staff were responsive to what the person had to say. Another person said: 'if I was worried I would tell staff'.
Is the service well-led?
The service had quality assurance systems. Records seen by us showed that identified shortfalls were addressed and as a result the quality of the service was being maintained with action plans in place to continually improve.
Staff told us they felt supported by the management and were kept informed. They told us that staff: 'work as a team' and that they had good training opportunities. People who live in the home, their relatives and staff members told us that they felt able to approach the manager at any time with any questions or concerns that they may have.