Archived: Lavender House & Primrose Lodge

The people we asked told us the things they liked to do, for example baking. On the day of the inspection we were told there was to be a meal out at the pub and one person showed us what they were wearing. Another person told us during the week there were activities and at weekends there was free time. This meant people made day to day choices about the activities they did and about their appearance.

We observed staff engage with people at eye level and supported people to be part of their community. We observed staff ask people to make decisions about their meals. We saw staff interpret people's behaviour and responded appropriately and according to the person's care plan.

One person told us the actions staff took when people used behaviours that others found difficult to manage. We were told staff said 'go to your room and calm down and there is a chat after.' We also observed staff used a consistent approach for people that used repetitive behaviours to express how they were feeling.

People told us staff administered their medicines but had not been asked if they wanted to learn to take their medicines themselves.

People told us they would tell the manager if they were not happy with the staff or their care. Staff told us they observed people's behaviours and if there were changes they would ask for advice from the deputy or seniors.

We saw staff used people's preferred method of communication which included adapted forms of Makaton and sign language. We saw staff remind people in a friendly manner about their behaviour, which they then adapted.

The people we asked said they felt safe at the home and they knew who to tell if they were unhappy. One person knew if the manager did not act upon their complaints the provider could be contacted.