This inspection took place on 19 August 2015 and was unannounced. At our last inspection in October 2013 the provider met the regulations we inspected.
Homelands is registered to provide residential care for up to 14 older people, many of whom are living with dementia. It is one of three locations at the same address owned by the provider.
The service is part of the Oatleigh building and is situated on the first floor also known as ‘Bond Street’. Some services and facilities such as activities, kitchen and laundry arrangements are shared between the locations as a community. Homelands has its own staff and operates independently, under the overall supervision and management control of the provider. There were 12 people using the service at the time of our inspection.
The home had a registered manager who was also one of the registered providers. 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.
People and their relatives were positive about the care and support provided at Homelands. Staff knew people well and understood how to meet their individual needs. We observed familiar and positive relationships between staff and people at the service during our inspection.
A Namaste Care programme commenced in March 2015 designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia. Namaste sessions include hand and foot massage and sensory stimulation and were available to people living at Homelands along with other activities taking place in the community seven days a week.
People using the service said they felt safe and that staff treated them well. There were procedures in place to recognise and respond to abuse and staff had been trained in how to follow these. The provider’s recruitment procedures additionally helped to ensure that people were protected from unsafe care.
There were enough staff on duty to make sure people’s needs were met in a safe and timely way. Staffing was managed flexibly so that people received their care when they needed and wanted it.
People received effective care and support because the staff were trained to meet their needs. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and were supported to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills through regular management supervision.
The provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This provides a legal framework to help ensure people’s rights are protected. Staff understood people’s rights to make choices about their care and support and their responsibilities where people lacked capacity to consent or make decisions.
Medicines were stored, administered, recorded and disposed of safely. Staff were trained in the safe administration of medicines and kept records that were accurate.
All areas of the home were clean and well maintained creating a comfortable environment for people. Each person had a single room which was appropriately furnished and homely. The standards of décor and personalisation by people supported this.
Arrangements were in place for people and their relatives to share their views or raise any concerns or complaints.
The provider obtained the views of people using the service and their relatives or representatives and there were systems to regularly monitor the quality of the service provided at Homelands. Staff said they enjoyed working at the home and received the support they required from senior management.