We spoke with the majority of people who used the service and were on the premises at the time of our visit. We spoke with the manager and staff of all grades and experience. We spent the morning sitting with people in the communal areas of the Lodge, chatting with them and observed the interactions between people and staff. During the afternoon we spent time in the House, talking with people and observed the activity.
We looked at a selection of care records including support plans, risk assessments and daily reports. The manager supplied us with copies of audit checks and schedules, client survey reports, minutes of various meetings and staff training information.
People told us that generally the staff were good and that they felt at ease and comfortable talking with the staff. They told us the accommodation was 'okay' and the food was good. People told us they had regular meetings and discussions with staff about the care and support they need. They told us they had their own copy of their support plan. Staff told us of the support they offered to people each day. The information we saw recorded in the support plans was consistent with what staff and people had told us.
Some people required extra support from staff to help reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others. We saw staff provided this level of support in a calm and effective way. We did not see anyone waiting for help and support when it was needed.
Staff told us they had received training in managing violence and aggression and described the actions they took when situations arose.
The manager and staff told us they felt that the current staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of people. The manager told us of the contingency plans for other staff to be available when there were any changes to the level of support people needed.
Staff told us of the available training that was arranged for them. All staff we spoke with told us they felt the training was sufficient for them to do their job.
A visitor told us of their satisfaction with the support and treatment their relative received, 'We have seen a great improvement since X has been here. We are very pleased with this home'.
We saw the way the service monitored the service to make sure that it operated in the way that it states it does. All records and documents that we requested were available, in good order and up to date.
The service was visited by two Mental Health Act commissioners in December 2011. They found that overall improvements had been made to the service. Observations for further improving the service were made by the commissioners. The provider has responded, detailing the actions they had taken to the issues raised.