Archived: Oaklands Care Home Limited

Oaklands Care Home provides accommodation with care for up to 14 older people. Care is provided over two floors. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people living at the service

A registered manager was in post at the service. 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.

Risks to people’s health and well-being were not fully recorded or followed so that they could be managed safely. Professional advice was not being followed in relation to a person’s nutrition.

The service did not have in place a process for the safe recruitment of staff. Staff were being recruited without the required employment checks in place to ensure they were able to work with people in a social care setting.

Training had not been developed to reflect the deterioration of people and staff did not always demonstrate they knew how to provide the right care.

We recommended that the provider develop their training with reference to a reputable source around dementia care and best practice within care homes.

Systems were not in place to make sure the rights of people who may lack capacity to make particular decisions were protected.

People were not always treated with dignity and respect and their independence encouraged. Care was not always person centred to meet their needs.

The quality assurance audits were not sufficiently robust to ensure that people received a service which met their needs and protected their safety.

There were sufficient numbers of care staff to care for people at the service.

People’s physical and mental health needs were assessed, monitored and met in order for them to live well. The service worked closely with relevant health care professionals. Generally, people received the support they needed to have a healthy diet that met their individual needs.

People were cared for by staff who knew them well. People and their relatives were able to raise concerns and give their views and opinions and these were listened to and acted upon. The registered manager was not aware of the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard but, however, they were meeting people’s sensory and communication needs.

The registered manager was visible in the service and worked well together with a consistent team of staff. People were cared for by staff who were enthusiastic and supported.

We undertook this follow up inspection on 15 November 2016 to check that they had made the necessary improvements.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Oaklands Care Home Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Oaklands Care Home Limited is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up 14 people, some of whom may have needs associated with dementia.

A registered manager was in post. 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.

Improvements had been made to the service. People's medicines were managed safely and staff received training and support in order to maintain their knowledge and skills.

Systems to monitor the maintenance of the premises and ensure that equipment was in good working order were in place so that people had a safe place to live and maintain their health and independence.

There were sufficient staff who had been recruited safely and who had the skills and knowledge to provide care and support in ways that people preferred. Staff had received training in keeping people safe and they knew how to raise any concerns if they suspected someone was at risk of abuse or harm. Staff understood the risks people could face day to day and how to ensure their safety.

There were systems to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Checks were carried out to ensure care was delivered safely and effectively.

We observed that staff were attentive to people`s needs and treated them with respect and dignity calling them by their name. One person told us "I feel safe here. The staff are very kind and helpful."

We saw that staff sought people`s agreement before providing any support and assistance.

We saw that there was a sufficient number and mix of senior and junior care staff available throughout the day and night. We saw that there were also ancillary staff regularly on duty.

We saw that there was a robust complaints policy in place, which was readily available in the entrance hall.

People's needs were assessed and peoples likes and dislikes were identified including, the time they like to get up and go to bed, what they like to eat and drink. One person who used the service said "I feel safe living here staff are always here with me." Another person said "I like going out into the garden when it is nice, staff take me out there when I ask."

Staff we spoke to told us that they received regular supervision, one person said "The senior staff are approachable and very supportive. We saw that staff received regular training and updates.

We saw the provider regularly assesses and monitors the quality of the service provided to protect people who used the service from the risk of inappropriate or unsafe care and treatment. Monthly audits are carried out reviewing the key areas such as care plans, risk assessment, medication, accidents, incidents, compliments and complaints, fire safety and the building environment. Any areas for improvement are identified and the appropriate action to address any concerns and identify areas of good practice.