The inspection took place on 27 June 2016 and was unannounced.Newhaven is a residential care home which provides care and support for up to seven people with a variety of mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the service.
Newhaven is a terraced three storey home. All bedrooms were single occupancy. There was a communal lounge, kitchen, separate dining room and a garden, which included a designated smoking area. There was one bathroom, a shower room and four toilets.
There was a manager in post, who was in the process of applying to be the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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. The manager was not available during our visit; however, the area manager was on site and offered assistance.
Staff were trained in adult safeguarding procedures and knew what to do if they considered people were at risk of harm or if they needed to report any suspected abuse. People told us they felt safe at the home.
Systems were in place to identify risks and protect people from harm. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed monthly. Where someone was identified as being, at risk, actions were identified on how to reduce the risk and referrals were made to health professionals as required.
Accidents and incidents were accurately recorded and were assessed to identify patterns and triggers. Records were detailed and included actions taken following accidents and incidents. Reference was also made to behaviours, observations and other issues that may have led to an accident or incident.
Policies and procedures were in place to ensure the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines. Medicines were managed, stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of safely.
Staffing numbers were adequate to meet the needs of people living at the home. The provider used a dependency tool to determine staff allocation. This information was reviewed following incidents, where new behaviours were observed which might increase or change people's dependency level.
Safe staff recruitment procedures ensured only those staff suitable to work in a care setting were employed.
The Care Quality Commission monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Staff were trained in the MCA and DoLS. People at the service had capacity and the staff sought people's consent about arrangements for their care.
Staff were skilled in working with people who had mental health needs. Training included mental health awareness, behaviour management, schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Food was produced using fresh ingredients, to a high standard and offered good choice. People could choose to eat in the dining room or other areas of the home. Drinks were provided at regular intervals and on request.
People's health care needs were assessed, monitored and recorded. Referrals for assessment and treatment were made when needed and people received regular health checks.
Staff were caring, knew people well, and treated people in a dignified and respectful way. Staff acknowledged people's privacy. People commented that staff were understanding of their mental health needs and provided support during periods of distress. Staff had positive working relationships with people.
Care was provided to people based on their individual needs and was person-centred. People were fully involved in the assessment of their needs and in care planning to meet those needs. Staff had a good knowledge of people's changing needs and action was taken to review care needs.
Staff listened and acted on what people said and there were opportunities for people to contribute to how the service was organised. People knew how to raise any concerns. The views of people, relatives, health and social care professionals were sought as part of the quality assurance process.
Quality assurance systems were in place to regularly review and improve the quality of the service that was provided.