Starbrook

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

We reviewed 6 quality statements for this key question.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People’s needs had been assessed and where appropriate relatives had been involved.

New people moving into the service were assessed by the registered manager. The registered manager told us there would be a transitional period where staff would go to meet any new person and spend time with them before moving in.

Records demonstrated people’s needs were assessed with them and regularly reviewed to ensure the level of support remained correct. The needs assessments were used to support people to develop support plans, setting out how their specific needs should be met.

People and relatives were involved in assessments and care planning. We observed people were offered choices with regards to meals and where they wanted to eat their food. During our site visit we observed some people went out to eat and some stayed at the service.

Staff tried to encourage people to be involved in meal preparation as much as possible. This included light snacks and a more substantial meal. Staff were aware of people’s needs and preferences and any specific guidance around nutrition and hydration.

People’s nutritional needs were recorded and if needed specific guidelines were available. If there was any risk around nutrition, people were referred to specialist healthcare. For example, if there was a risk around swallowing people were referred to speech and language therapists. The provider kept management and staff updated with any changes to national legislation, guidance and good practice.

Relatives did not raise any concerns about this quality statement. Relatives said if needed staff had contacted GP’s and made sure people had any health or medicines review.

Staff felt there was a good team approach at the service, and they were able to rely on colleagues for support when needed. Staff communicated well and made sure people had healthcare in a timely way.

Professionals we contacted did not share any concerns about this quality statement.

Health needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. People had an annual health check with professionals and health action plans in place. Staff supported people to attend any health appointments in a timely manner and outcomes were recorded in people’s care plans.

People were supported by staff who had known and worked with them for many years. People’s health needs were known by staff and staff were aware of the history of people’s health care. One relative told us staff understood people’s conditions and provided good support with healthy living.

Staff supported people to access local healthcare professionals where appropriate. The registered manager told us they had good links with the GP surgery and people were supported to attend consultations in ways that met their specific needs.

Care records demonstrated people had been supported to access relevant health services, including GP and specialist nurses.

Relatives did not raise any concerns about this quality statement.

The registered manager told us when people needed specific monitoring for health conditions staff would be provided with guidance. People’s care was regularly reviewed which helped management make sure people experienced positive outcomes.

Care records demonstrated monitoring was taking place where necessary. For example, food and drink monitoring and positive behaviour tools monitored distressed reaction levels.

Relatives did not share any concerns about this quality statement. People had support from relatives for this area of care and where needed advocates were also involved.

Staff had a good understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff had completed training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the provider had a policy and procedures to support staff. Care records demonstrated mental capacity assessments had been completed and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications had been authorised where people faced restrictions. Records demonstrated conditions on the DoLS authorisations were being complied with.