We found the home had systems and processes in place to ensure the safe administration of medications.
We found there were processes in place to ensure the safety, availability and suitability of equipment.
We found there were effective recruitment and retention processes in place.
We found people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records had been maintained.
We talked to seven people who used the service. People told us they were happy at the home, liked the staff that looked after them, thought the home was kept clean and they enjoyed their food. Some comments captured included 'staff nice and friendly', 'this [carer]' he's a gem', 'food is decent'fairly good', 'I enjoy living here', 'we get lots of cups of tea', 'I couldn't be in a better place' and 'I'm very well looked after'.
We talked to four family members of different people residing at the home who were happy with the overall care received by their relatives. Comments captured from family members included, 'wonderful (about overall experience)', 'brilliant staff'and they always know who we've come to see', 'best place to get safe 24 hour care' and 'no worries since [our parent] came here'know they're safe'.
The SOFI observation was conducted within the ground floor lounge area.
During the observation we saw that people moods varied. For approximately half of the time we saw people were smiling and laughing and were content and relaxed, indicating a positive mood state. For the rest of the time people were awake and alert, watching what was happening around them, indicating a neutral mood state, but showing no obvious signs of positive mood.
We did not see any facial expressions or body language that would indicate signs of unhappiness, distress, anxiety or fear, which would indicate a negative mood state.
Looking at people's experiences the majority of their time was spent watching what was happening around them. In the main, the rest of the time was spent either engaging in a task or with a member of staff.
For 75% of the time when staff interacted with people there were positive interactions. For example, all staff treated people with respect along with a well meaning and kind approach. Staff demonstrated good communication skills that utilised eye contact and touch to engage with people who used services.
Staff members engaged people who used the service by stimulating conversation, listening and singing to music.
In the main, during the observation it was only one staff member that was engaging with people using the service. This staff member demonstrated warmth to people by smiling, touch and language. The staff member knelt down in front or at the side of people in chairs to speak with and interact with them.
For the rest of the time staff spent interacting with people using the service they demonstrated neutral interactions, for example, asking people if they needed help.
The care experience could have been improved with more members of staff engaging with people for more of the time, as it was visibly evident that when staff were engaging with them their mood and experiences of care improved.