This inspection took place on 9 January 2012. At the time of this inspection there were four people living in the home. When we arrived at Meadowcroft two people were out for the morning and two people were at home. There were two care workers and one manager on duty. In the afternoon the other two people went out. We heard that people enjoyed many activities in the local community.
During the day we talked to three people and observed care workers interacting with the fourth person. We also talked to the manager and two care workers.
People said they were happy living at Meadowcroft. They told us about some of the things they enjoyed doing each week. Each person had a weekly timetable of their regular activities including clubs and day care. We also heard about other things they enjoyed doing when they were relaxing at home. This included helping with household chores, listening to music, watching television or going out for walks.
One person showed us his care plan files. The documents had been drawn up by him with support from the staff team. The files contained photographs and symbols as well as text, and the documents provided important information to the care workers about his life history, people who were important to him, and about his health, personal and social care needs. He talked about some of the sections in the care plans and this showed that the information in the care plans was accurate and up to date.
Each person kept their care plan files in their bedrooms and this demonstrated that people had been empowered to direct their own care needs, they had been fully consulted over their care needs, and the care workers respected their rights to take control of their own care plans.
The home was comfortably furnished and appeared homely and warm. A few rooms had been affected by mould on the walls and ceilings and the manager told us that the cause of the mould had been investigated in the past but no cause had been found. However, the mould appeared unsightly and we were concerned about the possible risks to people's health. The manager told us she would request further investigations take place and a cure for the damp to be found.