Archived: Old Shenfield Place

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people who used the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People's health and care needs were assessed fully with them and their representatives, and they were involved in planning how care should be provided. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required. People said that they were consulted about their care, their health and any changes. We saw that care records reflected their current needs.

People's needs were taken into account with signage and the layout of the service. This enabled people to move around freely and safely. The premises had been sensitively adapted to meet the needs of people with physical impairments.

Systems were in place to make sure that managers and staff learn from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints, concerns, whistleblowing and investigations. This reduces the risks to people and helps the service to continually improve.

The building in which the service is run from was safe and appropriate for the needs of those people living there. A programme of works was underway to ensure that the needs of people living at the service could be accommodated.

Recruitment practice was safe and effective. Policies and procedures were in place to make sure that unsafe practice was identified and people were protected.

Is the service effective?

The registered manager set the staff levels, the manager took people's care and dependency needs into account when making decisions about the numbers, qualifications, skills and experience of staff required. This ensured that people's needs were met. We reviewed staffing levels which were adequate to meet the needs of those who used the service. Staff employed had relevant experience and qualifications to enable them to complete their role. Training was encouraged and undertaken regularly.

Is the service caring?

People are treated with respect and dignity by the staff. People told us that the staff were kind and responsive.

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. People commented, 'I don't need much help but when I do the staff help me. If I'm feeling ill, they are there to give me any help I need' and, 'The staff are nice. They come if I push my button (call bell) but to be honest I rarely need anything as they care for me so well.'

People who used the service, their relatives, friends and other professionals involved with the service completed an annual satisfaction survey. The registered manager was starting to audit this information and a full audit was to take place when more information had been received.

People's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.

Visitors confirmed that they were able to see people in private and that visiting times were flexible.

Is the service responsive?

People completed a range of activities in and outside the service regularly. One representative told us, '(Relative's) life has been broadened by living here.' One person who used the service told us, 'It's very good the opportunities we have; we went to a garden centre recently which was great fun.'

People told us that they felt listened to, their representatives told us that they appreciated that the manager had an open door policy and they felt able to talk to them about their relative. The manager told us that by having a presence on the floor she was able to speak with people easily and staff confirmed that the manager was responsive to ideas and discussions.

When people's needs changed, we found that care records had been updated to reflect this.

Is the service well-led?

The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way.

The service had a quality assurance system, records seen by us showed that identified issues were addressed promptly. As a result the quality of the service was continually improving. We saw that where an accident or incident had occurred, the manager had evaluated the situation and looked to reduce for the risk the person with immediate effect.

People's records were developed in relation to their needs in a clear and factual manner. Where people's records were stored these were held securely and safely.

People's needs were met by sufficient numbers of skilled and experienced care staff. One person who used the service told us, "I very rarely have to wait for anything, the staff are truly angels who give us all the time we need."

Staff were supported to take part in learning and development that was relevant and appropriate so they could carry out their role effectively. One person who used the service told us, 'The staff here are very competent and able, I never worry that they don't know what they are doing. In fact I can leave [relative] here at night and not worry about them.'

People we spoke with were positive about the care and treatment they received. One person stated, "I can't fault the place. The food is good. The staff have time for us. They make sure I am looked after and always try to go the extra mile."

The home was clean, well maintained and welcoming. We saw that staff had received relevant training in infection control and could demonstrate their understanding of this positively.

The home had policies in place for the administration of medicines and staff demonstrated their awareness of these to us through discussion. We saw that staff had received appropriate training to administer medicines. However we also found that stock records did not always match.

People told us that they felt the home was understaffed and that their needs were not always met in a timely manner. One person told us that, "I would like the carers to respond quicker when I need assistance. They are short staffed I believe at the moment."

We found that staff did not receive supervision or annual performance reviews but did receive annual mandatory training.