Archived: Thorley House Residential Care Home

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

The care home was safe, clean and hygienic. Equipment was checked and maintained regularly which helped minimise any unnecessary risk to people who used the service.

The recruitment procedure was safe and thorough. It included the requirement for all new employees to provide a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check and two checkable references before they were allowed to start work at the care home.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) become important when a person is judged to lack the capacity to make an informed decision related to their care and treatment. The provider told us no applications for DoLS had been made but knew the procedure to be followed if an application needed to be made.

Is the service effective?

We saw evidence that people who used the service had been involved in writing up their care plans. The care plans and the consent to the provision of care forms we looked at had all been signed by the person or their representative.

People`s needs were taken into account with the signage and the layout of the service which helped ensure people could move around the care home freely and safely. The care home had been sensitively adapted which helped meet the needs of people who used the service.

Is the service caring?

We spent time in communal areas during our inspection and observed staff members supporting people in a caring and attentive manner. We saw people being supported in a patient, unhurried manner.

We spoke with two people who used the service and one told us, "It`s absolutely fantastic here. We`re just one big happy family." Another person told us, "Everything is great here. The staff are lovely, no problems."

Is the service responsive?

We saw people taking part in various activities during our inspection. One person who used the service told us, "We are going out for the day on a barge soon. We did it last year and really enjoyed it." The provider told us they had a good relationship with the local churches and schools which helped ensure people had their religious needs met.

The provider had procedures in place that monitored any accidents, incidents and complaints. People were supplied with a copy of the complaints procedure. We looked at the last complaint which was recorded in December 2013 and saw it had been investigated appropriately in line with the provider`s policies and procedures.

Is the service well-led?

The provider had procedures in place for monitoring the quality of service being provided to people who used the service. Internal and external checks and audits were completed which helped ensure the quality of service continued to improve.

We saw the provider worked well with other agencies, which included GP practices and other community services. This helped ensure people who used the service received care and support when they needed it.

There was a whistleblowing policy in place at the care home. Staff members we spoke with told us they were aware of it and told us, "I would not hesitate to use it if necessary."

The menu provided a degree of flexibility for people and in practice it meant that at any mealtime it was likely that everyone was able to eat something they had chosen.

Staff were well trained and supported to provide safe needs led care to the people living in the home. Comments from staff included; "we get lots of training and support" and "our manager has just achieved an award of manager of the year. She deserves it as she is a caring manager who values us all. She is always around to assist us."

Thorley House had systems in place to make sure the people who lived there and their representatives could have their say about the running of the home and the staff and services provided.