We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask.Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found.
Is the service safe?
All the people we spoke with told us they felt safe. Safeguarding procedures were robust and staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported. One person told us, 'Oh, yes I do feel safe here. I can go to the staff at any time if I don't'. Another person told us, 'I feel very safe here, especially since I know I can talk to the staff at any time.'
We spoke with staff about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager told us that there had been no applications submitted. They told us they had received training in making an application and showed us the policy and procedures they followed. They told us that some staff had received relevant training and had access to the policy and procedures. Those staff told us that they had received this training.
People told us the home was comfortable. They told us that it was always clean and we saw that the home was well maintained and serviced regularly.
Is the service effective?
Comments from people included, 'I decide what I want to do each day. I say to the staff what I would like to do. Today I am going out for a meal at lunchtime.' Another person told us, 'The staff are very helpful. I have a keyworker and they have helped me to settle in and organise things.'
People explained how their care and welfare needs were met. People told us they had support with health appointments and felt the service was flexible. One person told us, 'The staff have helped me register with a new doctor. I have just had a regular check-up.' Another person told us, 'I can have problems with sleeping. The staff have helped me with this. Sometimes I can have terrible headaches. I have new medication for this and I can ask for this when I need it.'
Is the service caring?
We saw staff communicated well with people and were able to explain things in a way which could be easily understood. People were not rushed when care was delivered and we saw staff interactions with people were caring. All the people we spoke with said they felt the care was very good. One person told us, 'I chose to come here. I really like it. I like the peace and quiet in this house. The staff are very pleasant. I like it here. I think the staff are very good with you.'
We saw staff treated people with respect and dignity. All the people we spoke with told us they were very happy with the care they received.
Is the service responsive?
All the people we spoke with told us staff would respond to any of their requests for support. One person told us, 'I like to go out each week for social things. When I need support the staff will help me. I like someone to come with me sometimes to the shops.' Another person told us, 'I am planning to go on holiday in September and staff are supporting me with this.'
All people we spoke with told us they were involved in decisions about their care. They said staff were flexible and responded to their requests promptly. We saw staff responded to people's requests for help in a timely manner.
We saw there was a complaints policy at the home. People told us they found the manager very approachable and would not hesitate to raise any issues or complaints.
People's care needs had been reviewed at least every six months. We saw when people's requirements had changed the provider had responded appropriately and reviewed the care and support they delivered in line with these changes. Care records had been updated to reflect the person's current needs.
People's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.
Is the service well-led?
The service had registered manager in post who showed us there was an effective system to regularly assess the quality of service people received. We found the views and opinions of people, relatives and staff had been taken into account.
We saw the home had systems in place which ensured managers and staff learnt from any accidents, complaints, whistleblowing reports or investigations. This helped reduce the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.
Staff told us they understood their roles and responsibilities. Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the service and quality assurance processes were in place.