A single inspector carried out this inspection. The focus of the inspection was to gather evidence to answer five questions; Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well led?During this inspection we spoke with four people who used the service and two relatives of people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager and care staff.
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at. If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People who used the service told us that they felt safe in the home. People said that they felt comfortable in the home and that members of staff treated them with respect and dignity.
Safeguarding procedures were in place. When we discussed safeguarding with staff, they were aware of the signs of abuse and the action to take when responding to allegations or incidents of abuse.
We looked at the safeguarding training records for staff and found that six out of nine members of staff had received safeguarding training. The training certificates we looked at said that the training was valid for one year and therefore staff required a safeguarding refresher training session.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. While no applications have been submitted, appropriate policies and procedures were in place.
The service had systems in place to identify assess and manage risks related to health, welfare and safety of people who used the service.
Is the service effective?
People told us that they were satisfied with the care they received at the home and felt that their needs had been met. One person who used the service told us, 'I am quite happy here' and one relative said, "My relative is in good hands at the home'.
We looked at four care files and saw that people's care needs had been assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Risk assessments had been carried out where necessary. Care plans included information about people's preferred routines and healthcare needs.
Relatives we spoke with told us that they were involved with their relative's care and that the home kept them informed of developments.
Staff told us that they were well supported by the registered manager and that there was good communication amongst staff. This enabled them to carry out their roles effectively, which in turn had an impact on the quality of care people received.
One member of staff said, 'Staff work as a team. The manager is supportive'.
Is the service caring?
People who used the service and relatives were positive about the staff at the home. They told us that they had been treated with respect and dignity in the home. One relative told us, 'I am very happy with the care. Staff are respectful and helpful'.
During our inspection, we saw that there was good interaction between staff and people who used the service. People looked well cared for and we saw that the atmosphere was relaxed in the home.
Staff we spoke with said that they were aware that all people should be treated with respect and dignity and were able to give us examples to demonstrate how they ensured this.
Is the service responsive?
People who used the service and relatives we spoke with told us that if they had any concerns or complaints, they would feel comfortable raising them with staff or the registered manager.
We saw that the home had a complaints policy and procedure. Complaints were documented and we saw evidence that the home had dealt with these accordingly.
We saw evidence that the service had carried out a survey in March 2014 asking people for their views about the home.
People's care and health progress was monitored closely. Written notes about people's health and care were completed by staff. People's care plans and their health needs were reviewed with people who used the service.
Is the service well-led?
The home had quality assurance processes in place to help ensure that people received a good quality service. People who used the service told us that they felt listened to by members of staff and the registered manager.
Resident meetings were held every two months which enabled people to discuss issues regarding the running of the home. This encouraged people to raise queries and concerns with management and members of staff.
Staff told us that staff meetings took place monthly which aimed to enable staff to raise queries and concerns with their team and share information. All staff we spoke with told us that they felt able to consult the registered manager if they had concerns or queries and said that they felt supported.
Management in the home completed regular audits which included medication and fire safety.