21 January 2015
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 21 January 2015. This was an unannounced inspection and was the first inspection since the provider registered in July 2013.
Prudhoe House provides residential care, with no nursing provision, for up to five people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were four people living at the home.
The service had a registered manager in post. 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.
Safe management of medicines was always followed; people told us they received the correct medicines from staff. Relatives told us there had been no issues with medicines. Risk assessments were always completed.
People told us they felt safe at the service and protected by the staff. Staff were aware of their personal responsibilities to report any incidents of potential or actual abuse to the registered manager. People told us there were enough staff at the service to support them and we confirmed this through records. We found emergency procedures, including fire safety were monitored and staff knew what to do in an emergency. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to identify any trends.
People told us they were happy with the food and refreshments available to them. We found staff were adequately trained and received induction, supervision and appraisal from the registered manager.
Staff followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. MCA assessments and ‘best interests’ decisions had been made where there were doubts about a person’s capacity to make decisions. The registered manager was in discussion with the local authority in regard to one person’s capacity.
People told us staff cared for them. Staff spoke with people in a caring and kind manner and treated them as individuals with respect and dignity. People’s care needs were detailed, recorded and reviewed by staff with input from people, their families and healthcare professionals.
People had choices and were able to participate in a wide range of activities. Staff encouraged and supported everyone to maintain social and family links. People and their relatives told us they knew how to complain and would be able to if necessary.
We found robust audits and checks in place to support the registered manager monitor the quality of the home.
Staff told us they felt supported by their colleagues and the registered manager.