2 July 2014
During a routine inspection
We saw that people were treated with dignity and respect. All the people we asked told us they felt safe. One person said, 'It's brilliant here I'd recommend it to anybody.' The relatives of another person told us the home was safe and comfortable.
Members of staff had received training about the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.
Systems were in place to make sure that managers and staff learn from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints, concerns, whistleblowing and investigations. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.
Medication was managed and administered by care workers who knew how to safely give medicines to people who used the service. Two people told us they were given their tablets regularly.
Is the service effective?
People who used the service were admitted to the home for a period of respite care or rehabilitation to help people regain their independence. Social services were responsible for assessing people in the community or in hospital to determine people's suitability for admission to the home. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required. We saw that people's care plans were kept under review and updated when necessary so that staff had up to date information about the care needs of each person.
People's needs were taken into account with signage and the layout of the service enabling people to move around freely and safely.
There was a rolling programme of training in place so that all members of staff were kept up to date with current practice.
Is the service caring?
We saw that members of staff were attentive to people's needs and offered appropriate encouragement and assistance when necessary. People who used the service told us they liked living at the home and received the care and support they needed. One person said, 'I can't fault the staff, they've got endless patience.' Another person said, 'It's wonderful, the staff are very good.'
People's personal preferences, interests and diverse needs had been recorded in their individual care plans.
People were asked to complete a satisfaction questionnaire following their discharge from the service. Comments written on recently completed questionnaires included, 'staff are very helpful and friendly' and 'the staff team are fantastic'.
Is the service responsive?
People were encouraged to take part in the activities organised at the home. We saw that several people were gardening. One person said, 'I've planted some flowers and potatoes.' Another person told us that staff organised quizzes and said, 'There's always something happening. I sit outside when it's nice.'
People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy. Two people told us they would talk to a member of staff if they had any complaints. One person said, 'I can't complain, everything's fine.'
Is the service well-led?
The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way. A procedure was in place for sharing information with other agencies in an emergency.
There were systems in place for assessing and monitoring the quality of the service provided. We saw that audits completed regularly by the manager covered most aspects of the service provided.
Members of staff had regular supervision meetings and an annual appraisal with their line manager. The two care workers we asked said they found these meetings helpful and supportive and gave them the opportunity to discuss issues relating to their work including training.