Archived: Evaglades

Updated 11 March 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions and to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Heath & Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection was carried out 11 February 2016. We gave the registered provider 48 hours’ notice of the inspection to ensure there would be someone at the home when we visited. The service against all five key questions we ask about services: Is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Prior to the inspection taking place we reviewed information regarding Evaglades from a variety of sources. This included notifications submitted by the provider relating to incidents, accidents, health and safety and safeguarding concerns which affect the health and wellbeing of people who lived at the home.

We also spoke with the other agencies that had some involvement in working with the registered provider. This included the Local Authority contracts and commissioning team and the Local Authority safeguarding team. This allowed us to gain information relating to the quality and safety of service being provided and influenced our inspection planning. No concerns were raised during discussions with these parties.

Information was gathered from a variety of sources throughout the inspection process. We spoke with three staff members at the home. This included the registered provider and deputy manager and one staff member responsible for providing care. The registered provider was unable to be present for the full inspection process. The deputy manager was present to represent the registered provider in their absence.

We spoke with one person who lived at the home to obtain their views on what it was like to live there. We also observed interactions between staff and people to try and understand the experiences of the people who could not verbally communicate.

To gather information, we looked at a variety of records. This included care plan files relating to both people who lived at the home. We also viewed two staff members’ recruitment files. We also viewed other documentation including minutes of team meetings, cleaning schedules, health and safety certification, and staff training records.

We looked around the home in both public and private areas to ensure the home was conducive to the needs of the people who lived at the home.

Updated 11 March 2016

This inspection took place on 11 February 2016 and was announced. The registered provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a small care home for adults with learning disabilities who are often out during the day; we needed to be sure someone would be in.

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Evaglades is a residential care home registered for up to 8 people with learning disability. The rooms are en-suite and are located on two floors with a staircase. The home is situated on the seafront in Morecambe close to local amenities. Care is predominantly provided by the family who also live on site. The registered provider employs one person who is not a family member.

At the time of inspection there were two people living at the home.

A registered provider was in post at the time of the inspection. A registered person is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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 service was last inspected 08 December 2014. The registered provider did not meet the requirements of the regulations during that inspection as breaches of the Regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 were identified. Breaches were identified in requirements relating to workers, recruitment, assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision, Respecting and involving service users, records, consent and complaints.

During this inspection in February 2016, we found improvements to meet the fundamental standards had been made.

Risk assessments had been reviewed to ensure risks to people had been addressed and could be suitably managed. Staff were aware of the risks appropriate to each person and aware of processes to follow to promote peoples safety.

Systems had been implemented to ensure all environmental risks were identified and addressed to promote safety. The registered provider had carried out appropriate fire alarm testing and had carried out evacuation drills with staff and the people who lived at the home. Records had been kept to evidence they had occurred and documented any significant findings.

The registered provider had developed an audit system and was carrying out checks around the property to ensure all areas were adequately maintained. Cleaning rotas had been developed and records of all cleaning undertaken were maintained.

Records relating to staff were up to date and detailed. New employees had been subjected to suitable checks to ensure they were suitable for the employed role. All staff and family members who worked at the home had been subjected to a Disclosure and Barring check prior to commencing work.

Suitable arrangements were in place for administering of medicines. Medicines were stored securely when not in use and were only administered by staff that were trained to do so. People who lived at the home had access to homely remedies to manage any minor ailments. These had been discussed and approved with a relevant health professional. Audits of medicines were carried out by the registered provider.

Training had been implemented for staff and training progress was being documented on a training matrix. Staff told us they were offered training to meet people’s needs. New staff were supported through an induction programme and was supported by management at the start of their employment. On-going support to staff was offered through supervisions and regular team meetings.

Procedures to lawfully deprive people of their liberty had been considered and applications had been made to the Local Authority for relevant parties.

Capacity and consent of all people who lived at the home had been reviewed. The registered provider had carried out Mental Capacity assessments for each person who lived at the home to determine their capacity and to look at how people could be involved in decision making. The registered provider recognised whilst people may lack capacity it was important to still involve them in decision making where appropriate.

Person centred care was provided at all times by staff who knew the people well. Staff knew of people’s likes and dislikes and respected these whilst supporting people. Where possible people who lived at the home were encouraged to be involved in the everyday running of the home. There was an emphasis on building people’s skills and promoting independence.

People who lived at the home were asked about the care provided. When people could not verbally communicate staff took the time to observe non-verbal cues to try and understand what the person was thinking and experiencing. This enabled staff to make assumptions on how satisfied people were with the service.

We observed people being kept active and stimulated throughout the day of the inspection. There was no structured formal activity plan on a daily basis but we observed staff taking time out and carrying out 1:1 activities with people during the day. We also saw evidence the registered provider had started to increase links with the local community. We were assured these links were going to continue.

Interactions between the people who lived at the home and the staff were positive. People were treated with respect. We also observed needs being met in a timely manner.

People’s nutritional needs were met by the registered provider. Meals were prepared for people according to personal preferences and health needs. We observed people making requests for meals and these were granted. Support was provided where appropriate at meal times.

The registered provider had reviewed their complaints policy and had implemented a complaints log for all complaints to be recorded in. There had however been no complaints since the last inspection.

Quality assurance systems had been implemented since the last inspection. Feedback regarding service provision had been sought from professionals, relatives of people who lived at the home and the people who lived at the home. This was carried out to ensure people were happy with the care provided.

Staff who worked at the home told us communications with the registered provider had improved. Staff said they were now listened to and involved in making improvements to the service. Staff commended the new atmosphere in the home and the willingness of the registered provider to listen to suggestions.

The registered provider had improved standards of record keeping. Relevant documentation that was required to demonstrate compliance with the regulations was maintained and organised.

The registered provider had taken action to ensure the living premises were fit for purpose. A refurbishment plan had been drawn up by the provider to improve standards around the home.

The service will be expected to sustain the improvements and this will be considered in the future inspections.