12 December 2016
During a routine inspection
There was 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.
People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff we spoke with understood the appropriate procedure that they would take if they suspected any concerns around people's safety. There were sufficient numbers of staff on each shift to meet people’s needs. Staff records demonstrated the registered manager followed safe recruitment procedures to ensure staff were suitable to work at the home. Staff received appropriate support through induction, training and supervision. Staff we spoke with said they felt able to speak with the management at any time.
People received their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were administered and recorded appropriately. However, we found one medicine was not stored securely. Risks to people’s well-being had been identified, recorded and measures had been put in place to protect people. However, one person was at risk but no action had been taken to manage this risk. We raised this with staff who took immediate action.
People were supported to maintain a balanced diet. People were also supported to access health care professionals when required and their advice was followed.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. Staff and the registered manager understood the MCA and DoLS and the provider followed the legal requirements. The provider had identified through their own internal audits the MCA decision specific assessment was not always clearly documented. There was an action plan in place that specified that the documentation for specific decisions was going to be in place by February 2017.
People were cared for by compassionate staff that enjoyed working with people. The staff treated people with dignity and respect. People were involved in decisions about their support. There were a range of activities on offer for people to participate in if they chose to do so. This included both group and individual activities.
The registered manager ensured quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of care provided and drive improvements within the service. The registered manager and staff promoted open and transparent culture.