We inspected Emm Lane Care Home on 14 June 2016 and the inspection was unannounced. At our previous inspection in April 2016 we found breaches in relation to the safe management of medicines and good governance. We issued requirement notices for the service to improve in these areas and a plan was sent to us by the provider detailing what actions were being taken. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of Regulations.Emm Lane Care Home is a semi-detached period property providing care and accommodation for up to 14 adults with a mental illness. The accommodation is situated on three floors with two twin and ten single bedrooms. There are two lounges and a dining room/kitchen. The home is situated approximately three miles from Bradford city centre. On the day of our inspection there were 12 people living at the service.
At the time of our inspection the service was managed by a care manager. Due to the provider being registered as an individual, the service does not require a registered manager to be 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. We saw the provider had daily oversight into the running of the service.
People told us they felt safe in the home. Safeguarding procedures were in place which staff understood although we saw one incident where a safeguarding referral should have been made. However, we saw a number of other appropriate safeguarding referrals had been made and these had been investigated. Accidents and incidents were documented with actions and analysis.
Medicines were safely managed. PRN processes and appropriate storage were in place, medicines records were completed and medicines were administered in a calm and safe manner. However, information about decisions regarding covert medicines needed to be fully documented.
The provider had made improvements to the environment and the service was safely maintained, although further improvements were required to lighting in some areas.
Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and risk assessments which were in place were understood by staff. People's care and support needs were regularly reviewed which ensured the service remained responsive to people's individual needs. People were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care.
The home was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and acting within the legal framework of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).
There were sufficient quantities of staff to ensure people were kept safe and had opportunities to participate in activities. Effective recruitment procedures were in place. Training was in place to ensure staff provided effective care and support.
People were supported to eat and drink and maintain a healthy lifestyle with dietary needs and preferences considered. People's health care needs were met.
People said staff treated them well and were kind and caring. They told us staff ensured their dignity and choices were respected. We saw positive relationships had developed between people and staff and the atmosphere in the home was calm and relaxed.
The service helped people maintain their independence by encouraging them to assist with daily life within the home and engaging with activities outside the service.
Complaints and concerns were taken seriously by the service, investigated and documented with outcomes. We saw these were mainly minor concerns but still treated in the same manner.
Staff told us they felt supported by management and we observed a positive culture at the service, with good staff morale. People told us they felt able to approach the care manager and provider with any concerns. Staff and resident meetings were regularly held to discuss any concerns or service information.
A range of systems were now in place to monitor the quality of the service and drive improvements.
The service rating for the service was displayed within the home and the service took steps to ensure this was also displayed on the provider website on the day of our inspection.