The inspection team consisted of one inspector. During the inspection, we spoke with five out of 12 people living at St Jude's Residential Care Home, the deputy manager and five staff; the manager was on holiday at this time. We looked at three sets of care records. We also observed care practices within the home. We found the home had a positive environment for people and staff.
We set out to answer our five questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People told us they felt safe and secure living at the home. Staff we spoke with understood the procedures which they needed to follow to ensure that people were safe.
The service was clean, hygienic and well maintained. There were processes in place that ensured infection prevention and control of the home. There were no audits in place to check these processes were working.
We saw gaps in financial records, medication records and quality assurance records. Records did not contain all the information required by the Health and Social Care Act. This meant the provider could not demonstrate that people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care because records were incomplete. A compliance action has been set in relation to this and the provider must tell us how they plan to improve.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. While no applications had been submitted to the local authorising authority, the home had proper policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff had received training in relation to these topics along with the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, dealing with behaviour that challenges and had an understanding of the actions to take. This meant that people were safeguarded as required.
Is it caring?
Peoples care plans provided information on their medical and personal life history. The care plans detailed 'what I can do for myself,' 'what support I need' and 'how will the home meet my needs in this area.'
Care plans were individualised and included people's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs. Our observations of the care provided showed that staff were very knowledgeable about people's needs and wishes. Care records listed people's wishes and wishes that had been granted, such as one person who used the service wished for a bike and that wish was granted.
People told us that they were happy with the care and support provided to them.
People who used the service were supplied with an easy read document for each medication they were taking, stating what the medication was for, why they needed to take it and how it should be taken.
Is the service effective?
Everyone had their needs assessed and had individual care records which set out their care needs. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of the care and support needs of people living at the home and that they knew them well. Assessments included mental health, medication compliance and behaviour that challenges.
People spoke highly of the staff and said that they were happy with the care that had been delivered and their needs had been met.
People had access to a range of health care professionals such as the dentist, podiatrist and social workers, some of which visited the home and all was documented in the care files.
Is the service responsive?
There was clear evidence contained within people's care plans to show how they worked with other health and social care professionals.
People told us that they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. The home was responsive to people's needs, wishes and preferences. We saw that the people who used the service could come and go as they pleased.
There had been no accidents or incidents reported since 2008. The service did have a reporting tool ready if there were to be an accident or incident with an action plan and lessons learned section.
Is the service well led?
We did see a cleaning schedule but there were no audits in place to make sure this schedule was adhered to and was working.
We looked at the finance records for the people who used the service's personal allowance system. We looked at the finance records for 10 people and found that there were discrepancies with five of them.
The service did not have any records of quality assurance systems in place. Therefore the registered manager was not protecting the people who used the service and others against the risks of inappropriate or unsafe care and treatment. A compliance action has been set in relation to this and the provider must tell us how they plan to improve.
What people said:
People who used the service were very happy with the care they received. One person we spoke with said, 'We are spoilt, I love it here.' Another person said, 'I am really pleased with the care I am receiving,' and 'It is excellent here and exciting, I love the trips, I love Liverpool.'
Staff members told us they loved working at St Jude's Residential Care Home. Staff members we spoke with said, 'The lads and staff are lovely,' and 'I have a good bond with the person I one to one with, he trusts me,' and 'I am always itching to get to work, I love it, I often pop in on my days off to see the lads.'