29 June 2016
During a routine inspection
People and relatives told us that people were safe at the home. Staff were able to identify and respond to changes in people’s behaviours to keep them safe and well. Risks to people were managed effectively and staff had taken steps to minimise these. Staff had an active role in maintaining the health and safety of the home and one person who lived at the home supported them with this.
People were supported by a consistent staff group and we saw that there were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs. People were protected by robust recruitment processes. People received their medicines safely and staff had access to thorough guidance about supporting people to take their medicines.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to support people effectively and told us they felt supported in their roles. Staff received regular supervision and had access to further training and support from the registered provider if they needed this. We saw that the registered manager and staff had a clear understanding of people’s needs and relatives confirmed this. Where people were unable to express themselves verbally, staff showed awareness of how they communicated their needs. People sometimes displayed behaviours that may have challenged and staff provided examples of how they supported people to become calm.
Staff we spoke with did not have a clear understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and how this was applied at the home, however, people were supported to make decisions about their care and day-to-day lives. People enjoyed mealtimes and were supported to have a healthy diet. People chose and prepared meals and we saw that their dietary preferences and requirements were met. People were supported to access healthcare support as required and staff took an active role in supporting people to stay well.
People and staff enjoyed caring and positive interactions with one another. We saw that people were treated as individuals and they visibly looked at home at the service. People were supported to maintain relationships with people that were important to them. Staff cared about people’s welfare and treated them with respect and people were regularly encouraged and supported to maintain their independence.
People received care that was responsive to their needs and relatives described positive outcomes for people. People, and their relatives where appropriate, were regularly involved in care planning reviews and discussions. Action had been taken in response to people’s changing needs to ensure that they remained safe and well and regular reviews checked that people were happy with their care. People were supported to follow their interests and enjoyed regular individualised activities and social events at the home.
Systems were in place to seek people’s feedback and relatives’ feedback and staff views showed that people enjoyed a person-centred and inclusive culture at the home. The registered manager had positive relationships with people and understood their needs well, and this was reflected in staff practice at the home.
Staff described an open culture where they could offer challenge and solutions to meet people’s needs. The registered manager felt supported by the registered provider and a quality assurance process encouraged the home to continue good practice.