Archived: RNID Action on Hearing Loss Fosse Bank House

RNID Action on Hearing Loss Fosse Bank House (referred to as Fosse Bank House throughout the report) 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.

Fosse Bank House provides personal care and accommodation for up to eight people aged between 18-65 who are deaf or have significant hearing loss and additional support needs. Accommodation is provided in individual self-contained flats with on-site staff support. Communal areas are also available to promote socialisation. At the time of our inspection there were seven people using the service.

The provider had a registered manager in place. 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.

We found the service was extremely responsive to people’s needs. The registered manager was creative in the approaches they used to ensure people were involved in decisions about their placement at Fosse Bank House. They had also taken immediate action, outside of normal working hours, to ensure a person admitted to the home had the necessary equipment in place so that staff were able to provide them with safe care which protected their dignity.

Staff were aware of equality and diversity issues in relation to the people they supported. Action was taken to help ensure people did not experience barriers when accessing the community. People were supported to access a range of activities; these activities provided people with opportunities to develop their skills, as well as promoting their well-being, independence and social inclusion. People told us staff supported them to maintain contact with their friends and family. The provider gave each individual funding to help ensure they were able to take holidays or excursions in the UK or abroad; this helped to prevent social isolation and enabled people to experience different cultures.

People were supported by staff who were caring and compassionate. Staff had a good understanding of the communication needs of the people they supported. Staff used British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate with people and all information was produced in formats people were easily able to access, including Easy Read, pictorial, BSL and DVD.

People were treated with the utmost respect at all times. Staff protected their privacy, involved them in decisions about their support needs and promoted their independence.

There were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs. People who used the service were involved in the recruitment and selection of staff; this helped to ensure only suitable staff were employed. Staff knew the correct action to take to protect people from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm. Staff supported people to receive their medicines safely. All the people we spoke with told us they felt safe in Fosse Bank House

Detailed risk assessments were in place in relation to each individual’s care and health needs as well as any environmental risks; these helped to protect the health and welfare of people who used the service and staff. People were provided with a range of equipment to help ensure their safety and independence; these included flashing lights and doorbells as well as vibrating pillows to alert people to an emergency in the service.

People were cared for in a safe and clean environment. Staff had received appropriate training to manage the risk of cross infection in the home. They told us, if necessary, they would provide people with support to maintain the cleanliness of their own property.

Staff received the induction, training and supervision necessary to help them to deliver effective care. People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and appropriate arrangements were in place to help protect the rights of people who were unable to consent to their care in Fosse Bank House.

People were supported to have a healthy diet. Systems were in place to help ensure people’s health and nutritional needs were met.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and goals. They demonstrated a commitment to providing high quality support which was personalised and tailored to the needs of each individual. We saw that people who used the service were involved in reviewing their support plans and making changes to these plans as their needs or interests changed.

Staff we spoke with told us they enjoyed working in the service and that the registered manager was supportive and approachable. Regular staff meetings meant that staff were able to make suggestions about how the service could be improved. Staff told us their views were always listened to.

Robust systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service; these helped to ensure people received a good service that supported their health, welfare and well-being. The registered manager demonstrated a drive for continuous improvement in the service.

Two people who used the service told us, "I give my consent to all things like the rules of the home, my care plan and activities. I am happy with everything here" and "I can make my own choices. Staff will help me to go somewhere or do something but I decide. I have agreed to this". People who used the service gave their consent to care and treatment.

On the day of the inspection people who used the service were out pursuing their interests and hobbies. Two people we spoke with also told us they were encouraged to go out, either independently or with support. People were able to go on holiday. Activities and hobbies gave people an active lifestyle.

Plans of care had been developed with people who used the service and kept up to date to ensure the care given was effective.

People told us they were encouraged to be as independent as possible and set goals to improve their lifestyles.

We found that plans of care were individually developed to meet the needs of people who used the service.

Two people who used the service said they, "Had choices" in what they did. On the day of the inspection one person had gone for a family visit and two people had gone out with staff. We found that people were able to follow their interests and social aspirations to live fulfilling lives.

Staff members we spoke with told us, "I feel well supported and trained. I think we have a good staff team and support each other" and "I am enjoying working here although quite new to the job. I feel really comfortable and I am involved in all I can be. I feel included not pushed aside". Staff felt supported and sufficiently well trained to provide competent support to people who used the service.