Archived: Acorn House

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found -

Is the service safe?

Emergency fire procedures were in place. Fire alarms and emergency lighting was checked every week. A staff member told us people were informed of the required procedures when they were first admitted and they were regularly reviewed.

We saw a closed circuit television security system was in operation at Acorn House. This helped ensure the safety of people who used the service. We spoke with one person who used the service and we were told, "I feel very safe here - 110%. I am very happy living here."

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) become important when a person is judged to lack the capacity to make an informed decision related to their care and treatment. The provider told us no applications for DoLS had been made but knew the procedure to be followed if an application needed to be made. On the day of our inspection, no person who used the service was subject to a DoLS.

Is the service effective?

People who used the service underwent an assessment of their needs when they were first admitted to Acorn House. We saw their choices and preferences had been recorded within their individual care plans.

Resident`s meetings were held on a weekly basis. This ensured people were given the opportunity to express their views and experiences in relation to how their care and support was provided.

Is the service caring?

We were told by a staff member that people`s physical health was assessed when they were first admitted into Acorn House. For example, appointments were made with doctors and dentists to register the person with the service.

People we spoke with told us they were given information and understood how their support was provided. One person told us, "All our support is planned and structured around what we need. We are always asked what we want to do."

Is the service responsive?

The provider had their own minibus which helped people keep involved in social activities around the local community and beyond. We were told people had attended different conventions around the country.

The provider had a complaints procedure in place and people were told about it when they were admitted to Acorn House. We saw a copy of the procedure displayed on the walls at the home.

Is the service well led?

The provider had procedures in place to monitor the quality of service being provided to people who used the service. Care plans were reviewed every three months, or earlier if necessary. This helped ensure staff members had up to date information related to the support needs of the people they supported.

GP and other professional appointments had been recorded within the person`s care plan. This showed a multi-disciplinary approach to providing care and ensured people had their care needs met appropriately.

We found people were asked to sign consent forms before any treatment or support was provided. People were involved in the process and their wishes were taken into account.

The provider had systems in place to identify people's concerns and complaints. The provider took appropriate action when concerns and complaints were raised.

There were procedures to ensure people received appropriate support to manage their medicines.

Cleaning schedules were in place so that treatment and support was provided in a clean and tidy environment.

The provider kept appropriate records that contained relevant information which were stored securely and could be accessed easily.

'They're always there to help you, they go out of their way'

'They make you feel safe'

'They help you plan for the future, they offer everything'

They also told us that it had been an, 'amazing experience' and that the staff, 'make sure you've got everything you need'.

A member of staff we spoke to said, 'I love it. It's not a job, it's a vocation'

We found that Acorn House provided people who used the service with effective, safe and appropriate care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. People who used the service were encouraged to express their views and experiences and these were taken into account in the way the service was provided. Staff treated people who used the service with respect and were competent to carry out their role.