Archived: Freshfields

We found that care records were current and reflected the needs of people who lived in the home.

A safeguarding policy for vulnerable adults was in place and staff had undertaken safeguarding training in how to protect people from abuse and harm.

A recruitment procedure was in place which ensured that only people suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed. Staff received a wide range of training which equipped them for their role.

There was an effective system in place to deal with any complaints or concerns people who lived in the home or their relatives might raise.

One GP who knew the service well described it as, 'Excellent'. She went onto say, 'I was up there just last week, and they were so organised with getting X (person who used the service) to an emergency appointment and in organising her PEG feed (an artificial form of feeding). They knew so much about her and how to cope'. A visiting dietician reported, 'They are a dream from my point of view: things are always well documented and everything we've asked them to do, they've done'.

Although none of the people living at the home could communicate easily, we saw that they were settled, happy and occupied. We saw that staff interactions with people were inclusive and appropriate and people's individual wishes were respected. Throughout our visit staff worked hard to promote people's independence and maintain their dignity.

All evidence indicated that this was good service and we noted that all improvements actions we suggested following out last visit had been acted upon by staff.