The inspection took place on 22 September 2015, and was unannounced.
30 Broad lane is a care home which offers accommodation for people who require personal care. Although registered to provide a facility for up to six people with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disabilities, the location currently has four people using the service.
The home is required to have a registered manager. The manager has been in post since October 2013, and has completed registration with the CQC. 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.
Staff knew how to keep people safe by reporting concerns promptly through procedures that were made available to them. Systems and processes were in place to recruit staff who were suitable to work in the service and to protect people against the risk of abuse. There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained and experienced staff to ensure people’s needs were met.
We observed good caring practice by the staff. Relatives of people using the service said they were very happy with the support and care provided. People and where appropriate their relatives confirmed they were fully involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans focussed on the individual and recorded their personal preferences well. They reflected people’s needs, and detailed risks that were specific to the person, with guidance on how to manage them effectively.
People told us communication with the service was good and they felt listened to. All relatives spoken with said they thought people were treated with respect, preserving their dignity at all times.
People were supported with their medicines by suitably trained, qualified and experienced staff. Medicines were managed safely and securely. Where a person required PRN medicine (used on an as need basis), guidance was available for staff to ensure this was appropriately administered. This was reflected with staff describing the protocol, and the Medication Administration Record (MAR) sheets showed proportionate usage.
People who could not make specific decisions for themselves had their legal rights protected. People’s care plans showed that when decisions had been made about their care, where they lacked capacity, these had been made in the person’s best interests. The provider was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The DoLS provide legal protection for vulnerable people who are, or may become, deprived of their liberty.
People received care and support from staff who had the appropriate skills and knowledge to care for them. All staff received comprehensive induction, training and support from experienced members of staff. They felt supported by the registered manager and said they were listened to if they raised concerns.
The quality of the service was monitored regularly by the provider, and the Operations Manager. A thorough quality assurance audit was completed quarterly with an action plan being generated, and followed up on during identified timescales. Feedback was encouraged from people, visitors and stakeholders and used to improve and make changes to the service.