Background to this inspection
Updated
29 July 2017
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.
Before our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. We reviewed notifications, safeguarding alerts and monitoring information from the local authority.
This inspection took place on the 30 June 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one inspector. We spoke with two people living at the home, three care workers and the registered manager. We observed care and support in communal areas and also looked at people’s bedrooms with their permission. We looked at two care files, three staff files, including supervision and training records, medicine records, policies, procedures and risk assessments.
Updated
29 July 2017
The service provides residential care for up to six adults with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were three people receiving care. The service was last inspected in February 2016 and was rated as Good overall but was in breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 because the service did not have effective arrangements in place for the safe administration of medicines. At this inspection, we found that the provider had addressed the issues and medicines were now being managed safely.
There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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 was safe and had practices in place to protect people from harm. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and what to do if they had any concerns and how to report them. People who used the service told us they felt safe and protected from harm.
Risk assessments were personalised and robust. Care workers knew what to do in emergency situations.
Staffing levels were meeting the needs of the people who used the service and care workers demonstrated that they had the relevant knowledge to support people with their care.
Recruitment practices were safe and records confirmed this.
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Newly recruited care staff received an induction and shadowed other members of staff on various shifts. Training for care staff was provided on a regular basis and updated regularly. Staff spoke positively about the training provided.
Care workers demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how they obtained consent on a daily basis.
The service was supporting people who were subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) in an effective way and care workers had a good understanding of DoLS and its application to the daily living needs of people at the service.
People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and the people who used the service had access to the kitchen without restriction.
People were supported to have access to healthcare services and receive on-going support. The service made referrals to healthcare professionals when necessary.
Care workers demonstrated a caring and supportive approach towards people who used the service and we observed positive interactions and rapport between them.
The service promoted the independence of the people who used the service and people felt respected and treated with dignity.
Care plans were person centred and focused on people’s individual needs. Care plans were reviewed regularly and any changes were documented accordingly.
Concerns and complaints were encouraged and listened to and records confirmed this. People who used the service told us they knew how to make a complaint.
The registered manager had a good relationship with care workers and the people who used the service. Care workers spoke positively about the registered manager and their management style.
The service had quality assurance methods in place and carried out regular audits. The service monitored the feedback from people who used the service by way of an annual questionnaire and a monthly residents meeting.