The inspection was carried out by one inspector. We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask:Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive to people's needs?
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, the staff supporting them, looking at records and information from Trafford Council and Community Mental Health team.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Syrian House provides support for up to 17 people with mental health needs. The premises are located in a quiet residential area of Sale. The building belongs to Trafford NHS Property Services Limited. The manager has a contact person to liaise with when any major repairs are required. Day to day maintenance is undertaken by the maintenance person who works at Syrian House.
The premises were clean, tidy and well maintained both inside and outside of the building.
Training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) took place which ensured that people who were not able to make decisions or choices were protected and kept safe. Best interest meetings and any other legal requirements such as applications to DoLS or guardianships are completed in conjunction with other health care professionals such as social worker and community psychiatric nurse.
We saw people had received an assessment of their care needs and that these had been discussed with the person concerned.
There were a sufficient number of people in the staff team to ensure that people were supported with their care needs.
Is the service effective?
Training was in place that ensured services were provided at Syrian House by a qualified staff team with up to date skills to provide support. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and mandatory training which included moving and handling, safeguarding adults, infection control, mental health awareness, health and safety were all completed by the staff team.
We saw from looking at the care plans that people had received an assessment and that there was a good understanding of the person's needs and the support they required.
Everyone had their own room which they were able to personalise and receive visitors.
Is the service caring?
All of the people we spoke with were happy with the service and the care provided.
We spoke with two people who used the service and two family members. They told us that the staff team were very welcoming. Comments we received; 'I feel that my relative is comfortable and safe and feel that they are respected by the staff; I am always made to feel welcome;' 'I like living here the staff are wonderful and work hard;' 'I am kept informed about everything;' 'The staff get the GP for me or help me to go to the surgery when I need it."
We observed during our inspection people being treated with respect and patience.
People's preferences were recorded in the care plan and they were able to express their views and opinions through talking to members of the staff team, taking part in reviews and resident meetings.
Is the service responsive to people's needs?
We saw that people's needs were assessed before they were offered a place at Syrian House.
The support to be provided and the recovery programme were agreed with the person and documented on the care plan.
A service user involvement worker employed by the organisation visited Syrian House every month. During these visits they conducted 'Building Skills Workshops'. These covered such areas as 'Introduction to Budgeting' and 'Communication Skills'.
Is the service well led?
Syrian House is part of the wider organisation Making Space Limited which is a registered charity.
Surveys were conducted regularly and replies were analysed in order to improve the service provided.
Every month there was a resident meeting where items regarding food, trips out and safeguarding were discussed.
A representative of Making Space Limited visited the home every month and completed a quality monitoring report. The report covered such areas as; record keeping, safeguarding and safety.
The organisation had the Investors in People (IIP) Accreditation. IIP assess and accredit organisations on the management and quality of the service they provide to both people who use the service and those who work for the service.
Syrian House had also been awarded The Dignity in Care Award by Trafford Council.