We gathered evidence against the outcomes we inspected to help answer our five key questions. Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read our full report.
Is the service safe?
People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines. One person said 'Staff supports me to take my medication and remind me when I need to attend appointments. This helps me to keep safe and well.' Another person said 'I get help from staff to get my medication from the Doctors, this helps me to keep well.'
There was an out of hours on call system in operation to ensure that management support and advice for staff was always available.
We saw that the fire alarm system was checked on a weekly basis and fire equipment had been checked by engineers. We also saw that a landlord's gas safety check and portable appliance testing had been carried out by engineers in June 2013.
Is the service effective?
We found that people's health and care needs were assessed with them, and they were involved in planning their care.
People's care plans described their mental health and physical health needs and provided guidelines for staff on how to best support them. We saw that risk assessments had been completed for example on medication, physical health and mental health relapse. Care plans and risk assessments had been kept under regular review and people were supported to attend medical appointments and meetings with mental health professionals.
Is the service caring?
We observed positive interactions between staff and people using the service during the course of our visit.
We asked people using the service about support they received from staff with their care needs. One person said: 'I have a care plan and a key worker. They talk to me about what I need' Another person said 'My key worker talks to me about my care needs. We talk about my room, my benefits and my emotions. I get to see my consultants and social workers when I need to'.
There were two small kitchens with kettles, toasters, fridges and microwaves where people could make breakfast, tea and coffee and have snacks throughout the day and night. We also saw fresh fruit was available in the communal area. We saw that people using the services were able to discuss the food provided at the centre and regular residents meetings. We also saw that care files included information about people's dietary needs and a record of their food likes and dislikes.
Is the service responsive?
There were regular residents meetings where people using the service were able to express their views and opinions about the home. Where people had made suggestions they had been listened to and acted upon. For example, one person wanted to cook meals for themselves, the meeting minutes recorded that arrangements had been agreed for this to happen.
Two people using the service said they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. They said they had raised concerns with the registered manager in the past and these had resolved promptly and appropriately to their satisfaction. We saw the homes record of complaints including details of how these had been investigated and resolved.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich commissions some services at the centre. We received a copy of a report from the Commissioning Quality Team's visit carried out at the centre in February 2014. A number of recommendations for improvements were made. We contacted the commissioning officer; they told us there were no current or new concerns regarding this service. They said the centre had addressed all of the recommendations in their report.
Is the service well-led?
We found there were effective systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.
Staff told us they enjoyed working at the centre. They said they were up to date with their training and that they received regular supervision and an annual appraisal. One member of staff said 'I enjoy working here, there is a very strong team, we support each other and we get good support from the manager and the provider.' Another member of staff said 'We work really well as a team. The whole team goes in the same direction to meet the people's needs.'