11 September 2015
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 11 September 2015 and was unannounced.
The home provides accommodation for a maximum of four people requiring personal care. There was one person living at the home when we visited. We have therefore not used quotes within this report and the examples we have given are brief because we respect this person’s right to confidentiality.
A registered manager was in post when we inspected the service. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People responded positively to care staff looking after them and engaged with them in a friendly manner. We saw that people were reassured by the presence of the staff and they were able to understand the needs of people through their particular facial expressions and body language
People’s health needs were understood and recognised by care staff. People received their medicines at the appropriate time and as they had been prescribed. Regular checks were made to ensure people received their medicines correctly. People’s medicines were also explained to them.
People received care and support from staff who were regularly supervised and who could discuss aspects of people’s care they were unsure of. People received care from staff that understood their needs and knew their individual requirements. Staff received regular training and understood well how to care for people.
People’s consent was appropriately obtained by staff. Where they could not make decisions for themselves we saw that people were supported by staff within the requirements of the law. The registered manager was also able to give us assurance about how they would act to ensure that people’s human rights were understood and protected. Care staff understood people’s needs and when decisions could be made in the person’s best interests.
Where possible staff involved people in preparing their own meals and drinks, which also encouraged independence. People were involved in making decisions about what they ate and staff knew how to support people if their dietary needs changed. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences and ensured people received the food they liked.
People’s health needs were understood by care staff who sought help from other professionals when this was required. People saw a variety of other professionals and care staff worked with people to ensure they were prepared appropriately for their appointments.
People liked the staff who cared for them and responded positively to them by choosing to be around them and taking their meals with them. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and people were supported to make choices.
People were supported to take part in activities they liked or had an interest in. Care staff understood each person’s interests and positively encouraged their participation in interests they liked.
People liked the registered manager. Staff told us that they felt well supported by the registered manager. They thought that they received the right type of guidance and support from the manager to enable them to provide safe and compassionate care.
People’s care was regularly checked and reviewed by the registered manager. The quality of the service was reviewed regularly by the provider and changes had been made based on people’s experiences and care requirements.