The inspection was undertaken by the lead inspector for the service. We set out to answer five important questions. Is the service safe? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? We considered the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We spoke with four people using the service, looked at two people's care records in detail and a selection of other records, policies and procedures. We also looked at staff recruitment records and spoke with two staff on duty, the manager and the provider.
This is a summary of what we found:
Is the service safe?
People's care plans were sufficiently detailed to make sure peoples' care and support was provided according to their wishes and safety. Risk assessments were completed to a good standard. They were thorough in determining level of risk. Action required for minimising or removing the risk whilst recognising people's right to take informed risks was recorded. Staff had been made aware of who may be at risk of for example, self-harm, self-neglect, and exploitation and had a plan of care to deal with these.
Staff had been trained and understood their obligation to apply the principles of the Mental capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS). This is a legal framework designed to protect the best interests of people who are unable to make their own decisions. No person living at the home had been assessed as needing this safeguard in place on the day of our inspection.
People's care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way to protect them from any unlawful discrimination within the home and wider community. They had opportunities to continue to live as valued citizens and access community health and social facilities.
Staff were trained in emergency procedures such as fire and first aid.
Care had been taken to make sure people were kept safe by only employing people who had proven good character records.
Systems were in place to make sure the provider and management continually checked the service was safe. However we found improvements were required to make sure an acceptable standard of hygiene, and staffing was maintained.
We also found the maintenance of the premises was not satisfactory in providing a safe environment for people.
Is the service caring?
People told us they were happy with the care they received from the staff team. They commented, 'It's brilliant here. I get all the help I need. I don't need any help with personal care. I like cooking a meal. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, they're fantastic.' "The staff will do everything they can to help you. We go out and we discuss things like meals we prefer at our house meetings, days out and holiday plans.' 'They're brilliant.' 'Nothing is too much trouble for them. They are very helpful and understanding', and 'Caring.'
Staff worked to care plans that were person centred, well written and sufficiently detailed on how best to meet individual needs. Daily records maintained showed staff responded to people's needs as required. Staff had received training to meet the needs of people living in the home.
Is the service responsive?
People were given opportunities to say what they wanted. This meant plans could be made to support people to achieve their aims. We saw evidence there was consultation with health and social care professionals to review the quality of people's care. Staff reviewed people's needs on an on-going basis to make sure people's changing needs were managed appropriately.
Residents meetings were held and people could say what they wanted and they felt listened to. A system was in place for receiving comments, compliments and complaints. People told us that they would know how to make a complaint, should they need to do so. We found where issues were raised with the provider, this was not always followed through with prompt action.
Is the service effective?
People told us they discussed their care. They had their own preferred lifestyles, routines, likes and dislikes that staff knew about. Care planning placed people at the centre of their care and offered needed support and encouragement for people to achieve their aims.
People's health and well-being was monitored and appropriate advice and support had been sought in response to changes in their condition. The service had good links with other health care professionals to make sure people received prompt, co-ordinated and effective care.
People told us they were consulted with and listened to at their house meetings. They had a programme of daily living and social activities. One person told us, 'I like my computer. I've just learned to send e-mails, it's great. I get a response more or less straight away.' And, 'Staff will get involved with whatever we are doing.' People we spoke with told us they went shopping, cooked meals and generally kept their rooms clean.
We were told staff were very good and supported people as they wanted. However we found where two staff were required for planned activities, consideration had not been given to the needs of people who potentially could become unwell. This meant pre-planned group activities were not always followed through.
Is the service well led?
People told us the management of the service was very good. They said they had regular meetings and considered this 'good' as they could have their say. People also told us they were treated well. If they had any concerns they knew who they could talk to.
The service had a registered manager responsible for the day to day management of the home. Staff were clear about their responsibilities and duty of care and were able to raise their views and concerns with the manager. They were supervised well and had appraisals. Meetings were held for staff and residents and these showed people were kept up to date and allowed people to be involved with all aspects of the running of the home including best practice issues and quality monitoring.
We saw evidence the service knew when to consult with health and social care professionals when required. This meant any decision about people's care and support was made by the appropriate staff at the appropriate level.