4 February 2016
During a routine inspection
Albert Lodge is registered to offer support and accommodation for up to six people who have a past or present experience of mental ill health. On the days of our visit there were six people living at the home.
There was no registered manager in place. The manager told us they had sent an application in and were waiting for checks to be carried out. 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 supported people to maintain their safety. Assessments were undertaken to identify any risks to a person’s safety and management plans were in place to address those risks. Staff were aware of signs and symptoms that a person’s mental health may be deteriorating and how this impacted on the risks associated with the person’s behaviour.
People were supported as appropriate to maintain their physical and mental health. People had care plans outlining the goals they wished to achieve whilst at the service and what support they required from staff to achieve them. The service used a recovery model in helping people to achieve their goals.
Staff were working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which meant that they were making sure people had support in place if they needed to be assisted with decision making.
They also worked within the principles of the Mental Health Act 1983(2007) which meant they were making sure people were safe and staff were following legal guidelines.
Staff worked in combination with the community mental health team to ensure people received adequate support. Any concerns about a person’s health were shared with the person’s external care coordinator so they could receive additional support and treatment when required.
Safe medicines management processes were in place and people received their medicines as prescribed. However, medicine patches were not disposed of safely and there was no signage to indicate use of oxygen. We have made a recommendation about this.
Staff encouraged people to undertake activities and supported them to become more independent. Staff spent time engaging people in conversations, and spoke to them politely and respectfully.
People were encouraged to express their opinions and views about the service. There were regular meetings with people and individual support was provided through a key worker system.
There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs, and attended regular training courses.
Staff were supported by their manager and felt able to raise any concerns they had or suggestions to improve the service.
The management team undertook checks on the quality of service delivery. A range of audits were undertaken to ensure the service was delivered in line with the provider’s policies and procedures, and that people received the support they required.