This inspection took place on 16 October 2015 and was an unannounced inspection.
Autumn Leaves is situated on Devonshire Road in Bispham, Blackpool. The home is an extended detached property and provides accommodation for a maximum of 20 people. Accommodation is provided in 14 single and three double bedrooms. Double rooms are only used for single occupancy or couples. Communal facilities include two lounges and a dining room. There is a patio and garden at the rear of the home which overlooks a golf course.
The service was last inspected in February 2014. The service was meeting the requirements of the regulations that were inspected at that time.
There was a registered manager in place. However she was in the process of cancelling her registration and the care manager was applying to become the registered manager. 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.
Senior staff had procedures in place to protect people who lived at the home from abuse and unsafe care. Risk assessments were in place which provided guidance for staff. This minimised risks to people. People said they felt safe and well looked after at Autumn Leaves. One person said, “I feel safe in the home. I feel safe with the other service users and the building is very safe.” Another person told us, “I am safe and comfortable here.”
We looked at how the home was being staffed. We saw there were enough staff on shifts to provide safe care. One person said, “The staff come quickly if I have had to ring my call bell which is usually during the night, when I am unwell.” Another person told us, “Whenever I ask for help the staff are there with a cheerful smile.”
Recruitment and selection was carried out safely with appropriate checks made before new staff could start working in the home. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience needed to care for people.
Staff managed medicines safely. They were given as prescribed and stored and disposed of correctly. People were able to manage their own medicines if they were able to do so safely. People felt staff gave them their medicines correctly and when they needed them.
The environment was well maintained, clean and hygienic when we visited. There were no unpleasant odours. One person said, “It is nice here and the staff make sure it is clean every day.”
Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager discussed an application she had submitted. This showed us staff were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions.
People were offered a choice of healthy and nutritious meals. Staff made sure people’s dietary and fluid intake was sufficient for good nutrition. One person said, “The food is very good and there are snacks and drinks available whenever you want them. Fresh fruit is also available in the dining room.”
People felt they could trust staff and had the freedom they wanted to make decisions and choices. One person said, “I can trust the staff to do the best for me.” They said staff made sure their privacy was respected when providing personal care. One person said, “The carers are very kind and caring they respect my privacy but also allow me to be independent.”
People said there were activities available. One person said, “Staff often just sit and talk to us. I do enjoy that.” A relative told us, “I came in one day to find [my family member] playing skittles with staff and laughing. It was good to see.”
People’s health needs had been met and any changes in health managed well. People said staff quickly arranged for them to see healthcare professionals when they needed them.
We asked people if they knew how to raise a concern or to make a complaint if they were unhappy with something. One person said, “I have a complaint form in my room should I wish to use it, but so far it is very good.” Another person told us, “I have not had to complain about anything in the home in all the time I have been here.”
There was a transparent and open culture that encouraged people to express any ideas or concerns. Senior staff sought people’s views and dealt with any issues of quality quickly and appropriately. One person told us, “I am very happy here. The staff are very good.”