15 March 2016
During a routine inspection
The service had 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. A new manager had taken up post and was in the process of receiving a handover from the registered manager.
This announced comprehensive inspection was undertaken on 15 March 2016.
Staff were only employed after the provider carried out satisfactory pre-employment checks. Staff were trained and well supported by their managers. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s assessed needs.
Systems were in place to ensure people’s safety was effectively managed. Staff were aware of the procedures for reporting concerns and took action to reduce the risk of people experiencing harm.
People’s health and personal needs were effectively met. Systems were in place to safely support people with the management of their medicines. People received their prescribed medicines appropriately.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. People’s rights to make decisions about their care were respected. Staff were acting in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 so that people’s rights were being promoted.
People received care and support from staff who were caring, kind, gentle and patient. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were encouraged and supported to attend social events and they were supported to maintain and develop hobbies and interests.
People were encouraged express their views on the service provided and to provide feedback on the service in various ways both formally and informally. People were involved in their care assessments and reviews. Care records provided staff with sufficient guidance to enable staff to provide consistent care that met each person’s needs. Changes to people’s care was kept under review to ensure the change was effective.
The registered manager managed three other services in addition to this one. The registered manager was supported by a team leader and care workers. People felt listened to and the registered manager used their feedback, together with audits of the service to drive improvement.
The service was well run. The registered manager and staff were approachable. People’s views were listened to and acted on.