Archived: Albert Lodge

Updated 16 March 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, looked at the overall quality of the service, and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 4 February 2016 and was unannounced. This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed information we had about the service, including previous inspection reports, improvement plans and notifications the provider sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The registered provider gave us additional information on the day of the inspection.

We spoke with or observed care and support given to most of the people who lived at the home. We spoke with the provider’s regional manager, the home's manager, two support staff, an activity coordinator and two people who live at the home.

We looked at the care plans and associated records for three people. We reviewed other records, including the provider’s policies and procedures, emergency plans, internal and external checks and audits, staff training, staff appraisal and supervision records, staff rotas, and recruitment records for five members of staff.

Updated 16 March 2016

This inspection took place on 4 February 2016 and was unannounced.

Albert Lodge is registered to offer support and accommodation for up to six people who have a past or present experience of mental ill health. On the days of our visit there were six people living at the home.

There was no registered manager in place. The manager told us they had sent an application in and were waiting for checks to be carried out. 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.

Staff supported people to maintain their safety. Assessments were undertaken to identify any risks to a person’s safety and management plans were in place to address those risks. Staff were aware of signs and symptoms that a person’s mental health may be deteriorating and how this impacted on the risks associated with the person’s behaviour.

People were supported as appropriate to maintain their physical and mental health. People had care plans outlining the goals they wished to achieve whilst at the service and what support they required from staff to achieve them. The service used a recovery model in helping people to achieve their goals.

Staff were working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which meant that they were making sure people had support in place if they needed to be assisted with decision making.

They also worked within the principles of the Mental Health Act 1983(2007) which meant they were making sure people were safe and staff were following legal guidelines.

Staff worked in combination with the community mental health team to ensure people received adequate support. Any concerns about a person’s health were shared with the person’s external care coordinator so they could receive additional support and treatment when required.

Safe medicines management processes were in place and people received their medicines as prescribed. However, medicine patches were not disposed of safely and there was no signage to indicate use of oxygen. We have made a recommendation about this.

Staff encouraged people to undertake activities and supported them to become more independent. Staff spent time engaging people in conversations, and spoke to them politely and respectfully.

People were encouraged to express their opinions and views about the service. There were regular meetings with people and individual support was provided through a key worker system.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs, and attended regular training courses.

Staff were supported by their manager and felt able to raise any concerns they had or suggestions to improve the service.

The management team undertook checks on the quality of service delivery. A range of audits were undertaken to ensure the service was delivered in line with the provider’s policies and procedures, and that people received the support they required.