Archived: Esk Moors Lodge

Updated 1 April 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on the 28 January 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector. Before the inspection visit, we reviewed the information that the provider had sent to us. This included notifications of significant events that affect the health and safety of people that used the service. Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR was returned to us over a year ago. This was before the registered manager took up post. We gathered more up to date information when we visited the service offices.

We contacted commissioners responsible for funding people that use the service, and asked them for their views we did not receive any responses. We spoke with an NVQ assessor, three people who used the service, the registered manager and three members of care staff.

We looked at the records of three people, which included their plans of care, risk assessments and records about the care they received. We also looked at the recruitment, training and supervision records for three staff, a range of policies and procedures, quality assurance audits and minutes of staff meetings.

Updated 1 April 2016

This inspection took place on the 28 January 2016 and was unannounced.

Esk Moors Caring Ltd is a not for profit company providing services including personal care to adults and older people. The agency, Esk Moors Lodge, has recently moved office to 23 High Street, Castleton.

The service has close links with Abbeyfields, an extra care housing scheme at Langburn Bank, Castleton, and has an agreement with this organisation to provide personal care and support to those tenants who are assessed to require this. The agency also provides care and support to people in the local area who do not live at Abbeyfields.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

People using the service told us they felt safe while staff were supporting them with personal care. Staff told us they were confident that if they had any concerns about people's safety, health or welfare then they would know what action to take, which would include reporting their concerns to the registered manager or to relevant external agencies.

Potential risks to people were assessed and used to develop plans of care to protect them from harm while maximising their freedom.

Staff had undergone a robust recruitment process and received training and supervision to enable them to meet people's needs in a safe and timely way. People's needs were met, which included support with meals and drinks when required. Staff liaised with health care services and external agencies where appropriate.

People's choices and decisions were recorded in their care records. Staff gained consent from people before delivering care. Staff promoted the rights and decisions of people and were aware

of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, though some staff told us they had not received training in this area. People's needs had been assessed prior to them receiving a service and they told us they had been involved in the development and reviewing of their care plans.

People were happy with the care and support they received. People made positive comments about staff and told us they were kind and helpful. We saw appropriate information was given to people using the service to ensure they knew how to raise concerns, or make a complaint. People also told us they were aware of how to raise concerns. The provider had not received any complaints within the last twelve months.

The service responded to people’s individual needs and preferences and care plans reflected the knowledge staff had of each person so that they could be placed in the centre of their care.

Systems were in place to check the quality of the service provided. The registered manager sought

regular feedback from people in order to develop and improve the service. Regular staff meetings were held where they were encouraged to voice their views. Staff told us that communication was effective and that they felt supported by the registered manager.