All inspections: Oakcroft - Care Quality Commission

We did not on this occasion speak to people who use the service. We spoke with the Registered Manager and looked at some of the records held by the service. We saw that improvements had been made to the way that records were maintained, which meant that people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment.

Care and treatment was delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of people's needs and interacted positively with them. We saw that they communicated well with people using the service and promoted an inclusive, supportive environment. A person using the service told us they enjoyed living at the home.

People were protected against the risk of unlawful or excessive control or restraint. Staff spoke confidently and clearly about how they supported people in different situations and demonstrated their understanding that physical intervention would only be used as a last resort. We observed that staff worked in ways that maximised people's choice, control and inclusion. Staff understood the value of a stimulating environment, meaningful activity and effective communication in preventing behaviour that presents a risk.

Medicines were prescribed and given to people appropriately. Staff demonstrated their understanding of the use of 'as required' medicines only after other strategies had been attempted. The training programme included the safe handling and administration of medicines.

The manager and staff we spoke with acknowledged that care and support records did not always reflect current working practices. This meant that people were not fully protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were not always maintained.

There were four people living at the home during our inspection. During our visit we spoke to people and also made observations throughout the visit. People who used the service were very positive about the way they were treated. People commented that they were happy to live at Oakcroft. One person said " I really like living here ".

People we spoke with told us that they had good relationships with staff and said they " felt safe " at the home. People made positive comments about the staff and said " they are always kind to us and take us out all the time ".

They told us that they felt involved in the decision making process in the home and would talk to staff if they had concerns.

We spoke with three of the four people who lived at Oakcroft. These three people told us they liked the staff. Two people said the staff were kind and helpful and they supported them with all of their needs.

During our visit, we observed the staff spending time with people supporting them to take part in their chosen activities. The home had a relaxed atmosphere because people were moving around their home freely and staff engaged positively with individual people.

These older reports are from our old approaches to inspection, including those from before CQC was created.

Archived: Oakcroft

All Inspections

31 July 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

3 May 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

17 December 2012

During a routine inspection

5 January 2012

During a routine inspection

Reports under our old system of regulation