We inspected this home on 12 April 2016 and returned on 21 April to meet with the registered manager and talk to additional care staff. This was an unannounced Inspection. The home was registered to provide residential care and accommodation for up to seven people who have mental health needs. At the time of our inspection five people were living at the home. People had all lived there for many years.A registered manager was in post. 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 told us they felt safe and staff understood their roles and responsibilities to protect people from the risk of potential harm. Staff were aware of the provider’s processes for reporting any concerns. Recruitment checks were in place to ensure staff who were employed were safe to work in adult social care.
Difficulties in recruiting to a vacant post had resulted in some instances of agency staff working on their own at night time. The provider had ensured that robust induction arrangements were in place for agency staff. Action was being taken to address the recruitment issue by the registered provider.
We found that staff were trained to support people effectively and received opportunities to further develop their skills. Staff told us that they received regular supervision and that senior staff were always available for them to seek advice and guidance.
People had access to a variety of food and drink which they enjoyed. People were supported when necessary to access a range of health care professionals.
We observed staff seeking people’s consent before providing any care and support. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). These provide legal safeguards for people who may be unable to make their own decisions.
People spoke to us about how genuinely caring and kind staff were towards them. We saw and people told us they felt involved in decisions about how they were communicated with and cared for. People told us they were encouraged to remain as independent as possible by staff. We observed staff ensuring people’s privacy and dignity was maintained.
We found some parts of the home were in need of general refurbishment. This was being addressed by the registered provider and a full refurbishment of the home was planned
Processes were in place which supported people to express their opinions in developing their care plans. People knew how to raise complaints. Where complaints had been raised the registered manager had taken prompt and appropriate action.
Staff working in this home understood the needs of the people who lived there. We saw that staff communicated well with each other and spoke highly of the management and leadership they received. There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the home and improvements had been identified to increase the quality of life for people at the home.