Archived: Greenacres

Updated 3 August 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was carried out to check 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 was a comprehensive inspection.

The inspection took place on 7 June 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection team included one inspector. Before our inspection we looked at records that were sent to us by the registered manager and the local authority to inform us of significant changes and events. We also reviewed our previous inspection report, and the Provider Information Return (PIR) that the registered manager had completed. The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and what improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with five people living at the service, and one of their relatives. On the day of our inspection the registered manager was on annual leave. We spoke with the deputy manager, a senior manager and three members of staff.

We looked at four sets of records relating to people’s support, and a range of assessments of needs and risks. We reviewed documentation that related to staff management and to the monitoring, safety and quality of the service. We looked at four staff recruitment files and sampled the service's policies and procedures.

At our last inspection in May 2015, the service was rated: good.

Updated 3 August 2017

Greenacres is a residential service that provides personal care and support care for up to seven people with a learning disability and behaviours that may challenge. At the time of the inspection there were six people living at the service. The registered provider informed us that they were planning to move the service to another site and had begun the process of informing people and their relatives in preparation of the move.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good and met all relevant fundamental standards.

People were safe. Staff understood the importance of people's safety and knew how to report any concerns they might have. Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed and plans were in place, and there were suitable arrangements in place for the safe storage, receipt and management of people’s medicines.

There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people’s needs and staff knew people well and had built up good relationships with people. The registered provider had effective recruitment procedures in place.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff treated people as individuals with dignity and respect. Staff were knowledgeable about people's likes, dislikes, preferences and care needs. Staff were skilled to approach people in different ways to suit the person and communicate in a calm and friendly manner which people responded to positively.

Peoples' health was monitored and referrals were made to health services in an appropriate and timely manner. Any recommendations made by health care professionals were acted upon and incorporated into peoples' care plans. People with complex care needs were given excellent care and the service was used as a first point of call for local health commissioners.

People who wanted to be occupied had busy lifestyles which reflected their lifestyle choices and likes and dislikes. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and upheld by staff who valued peoples’ unique characters.

Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Good interactions were seen throughout our inspection, such as staff sitting and talking with people as equals. People could have visitors from family and friends whenever they wanted.

People received a person centred service that enabled them to live active and meaningful lives in the way they wanted. People led full and varied lives and were supported with a variety of activities often with one to one support.

Complaints were used as a means of improving the service and people felt confident that any concerns would be taken seriously should they make a complaint.

There was an open, transparent culture and good communication within the staff team. Staff spoke highly of the registered manager and their leadership style. The management team had positive relationships with the care staff.