Archived: The Squirrels

Updated 6 January 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.’

The inspection took place on 9 November 2015 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service and has experience of dementia care.

We reviewed all the information we had available about the service including notifications sent to us by the provider. This is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

During the inspection we spoke with 10 people who used the service and four people’s relatives. We also received information from a social care professional who regularly visited the service. We used informal observations to evaluate people’s experiences and help us assess how their needs were being met and we observed how staff interacted with people. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, the administrator, the chef, housekeeper and eight care staff.

We looked at seven people’s care records and four staff recruitment files and examined information relating to the management of the service such as staff support and training records and quality monitoring audits.

Updated 6 January 2016

The inspection took place on 9 November 2015 and was unannounced.

The Squirrels provides accommodation and personal care and is registered for up to 58 older people, some of whom have needs associated with dementia. On the day of our inspection, 43 people were using the service including two people on short stay visits.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

The service had appropriate systems in place to keep people safe and staff followed these guidelines when they supported people. There were sufficient numbers of care staff available to meet people’s care needs and people received their medicine as prescribed and on time.

The provider had a robust recruitment process in place to protect people from the risk of avoidable harm. Staff had been recruited safely and had the skills and knowledge to provide care and support to people.

People were treated with kindness, compassion and warmth by staff who knew them well and who listened to their views and preferences. Their dignity and well-being was respected.

People’s health and emotional needs were assessed, monitored and met in order for them to live well. The service was individualised and person centred. The service worked closely with relevant health care professionals. People received the support they needed to have a healthy diet that met their individual needs.

People were able to raise concerns and give their views and opinions and these were listened to and acted upon. Staff received guidance about people’s care from up to date information about their changing needs.

There was a strong manager who was visible in the service and worked well together with the team. People were well cared for by staff who were supported and valued.

Management systems were in place to check and audit the quality of the service. The views of people were taken into account to make improvements and develop the service.