Archived: Osborne Court

Updated 10 June 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

This inspection took place on 5 May 2016, was unannounced and carried out by one inspector.

We gathered and reviewed information about the service before the inspection. We examined previous inspection reports and notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During our inspection we observed care in communal areas. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with one person and contacted five relatives about their experience of the service. We spoke with a registered manager from another Kent County Council service who was overseeing the management of the service whilst the registered manager was away; the senior team leader, one team leader, three care staff, and the cook.

We spent time looking at records, policies and procedures, complaint and incident and accident monitoring systems. We looked at two people’s care files, the staff training programme, the staff rota and medicine records.

At the previous inspection on 26 November 2013, the service had met the standards of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

Updated 10 June 2016

We carried out this inspection on the 5 May 2016 and it was unannounced.

Osborne Court is a service provided by a local authority. The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people for short periods of time, for example a few weeks. Staff provide support for people with a variety of complex needs including mental and physical health needs. At the time of the inspection, five people were receiving care at the service. Osborne Court can also provide personal care and accommodation should emergency care be needed for a short period of time.

People had a limited ability to verbally communicate with us or engage directly in the inspection process. People demonstrated that they were happy by showing warmth to the staff that were supporting them. Staff were attentive and communicated with people in a warm and friendly manner. Staff were available throughout the day, and responded quickly to people’s requests for care and support. We observed staff supporting people with their daily activities.

The service had a registered manager. 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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Management understood when an application should be made. They were aware of the Supreme Court Judgement which widened and clarified the definition of a deprivation of liberty. The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were protected against the risk of abuse. People indicated they felt safe. Staff had been trained and recognised the signs of abuse or neglect and what to look out for. Management and staff understood their role and responsibilities to report any concerns and were confident in doing so.

There were enough staff with the skills required to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited using procedures designed to protect people from the employment of unsuitable staff. Staff were trained to meet people’s needs and were supported through regular supervision and an annual appraisal so they were supported to carry out their roles.

People demonstrated that they were happy at the service by smiling and chatting with staff who were supporting them. Staff interacted well with people, and supported them when they needed it.

There were risk assessments in place for the environment, and for each person who received care. Assessments identified people’s specific needs, and showed how risks could be minimised. There were systems in place to review accidents and incidents and make any relevant improvements as a result.

People and their relatives were involved in planning their own care, and staff supported them in making arrangements to meet their health needs. Staff contacted other health and social care professionals for support and advice, such as doctors, speech and language therapist (SALT) and dieticians.

Medicines were managed, stored, disposed of and administered safely. People received their medicines when they needed them and as prescribed.

People were provided with a diet that met their needs and wishes. Menus offered variety and choice. People said they liked the food. Staff respected people and we saw several instances of a kindly touch or a joke and conversation as drinks or the lunch was served.

People were given individual support to take part in their preferred hobbies and interests. Staff encouraged people to undertake activities and spent time engaging people in conversations, and spoke to them politely and respectfully.

Management investigated and responded to people’s complaints. People knew how to raise any concerns and relatives were confident that the registered manager dealt with them appropriately and resolved them where possible.

There were systems in place to obtain people’s views about the service. These included formal and informal meetings; events; questionnaires; and daily contact with management and staff.

The provider and registered manager regularly assessed and monitored the quality of care to ensure standards were met and maintained. The providers and registered manager understood the requirements of their registration with the CQC.