Plean Dene

Updated 10 March 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 23 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 10 March 2022

This inspection took place on 1 and 4 May 2018 and was unannounced. One inspector carried out the inspection on the first day and two inspectors on the second day.

Plean Dene is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Plean Dene is a local authority residential care home which provides accommodation for up to thirteen people with learning disabilities including Autism who need support with their personal care. At the time of our inspection there were nine people living in the home.

The home was arranged over two floors with most of the bedroom accommodation on the first floor. There were bathrooms available to people on each floor. There were three communal areas in the home, which were a dining room, a quiet sitting area and a lounge. There was a large garden that people could easily access. People could use the kitchen with staff members supporting them.

The home had a registered manager. 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.

The last comprehensive inspection of this service was in February 2016 when the service was rated Good. At this comprehensive inspection we found the service remained good.

Quality assurance systems had not highlighted some shortfalls in the provision of mandatory training. We have made a recommendation about this.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were not being followed as required; best interest decisions were not in place for all people that required them. Consent was not being sought in line with legislation.

There were not effective systems in place to ensure that staff received training necessary to their roles. We have made a recommendation regarding this.

The risks relating to people's health and welfare had been assessed. However, they were not consistently recorded and therefore the information was not always clear.

The environment was clean and well maintained. Environmental risks were assessed robustly and processes were in place to audit and maintain the safety of people in the home.

Where accidents, incidents, and near misses had occurred there was an effective system in place to ensure that appropriate action was taken to mitigate any risks or prevent reoccurrence.

There were robust arrangements in place for the safe recording, storage and administration of medications.

People’s families told us they thought the home was safe. The provider had appropriate policies in place to protect people from abuse and had robust recruitment procedures. Staff had received safeguarding training and demonstrated an understanding of the action they would take if they identified any concerns.

People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and were encouraged to make choices. Staff supported people to eat and drink, when necessary and encouraged people to be as independent as possible.

There was enough staff to meet people's needs and to enable them to support people to engage in activities and access the community. Staff provided person centred care and knew people’s needs well. They spoke to people with kindness using good communication methods and showing dignity and respect.

The registered manager understood their responsibilities for end of life care and knew how to access relevant support if needed.