10 & 12 November 2014
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 10 and 12 November 2014 and was unannounced. This means the provider did not know we were coming. We last inspected Kensington Care Home in October 2013. At that inspection we found the home was meeting all the regulations we inspected.
Kensington Care Home provides nursing and personal care for up to 49 older people. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people living at the home. The home had not had a registered manager in post since 2013. 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. The provider told us they were in the process of appointing a new manager who would apply to be registered. The deputy manager was acting as manager until a new manager was appointed.
We found that people received care that protected their personal safety and welfare. Risks were assessed and measures were in place to prevent people from being harmed. Staff were trained in safe working practices and understood how to protect people during their care delivery. They had a good understanding of safeguarding people against the risk of abuse and the reporting procedure. People confirmed to us that they felt safe living at the home and with the staff who cared for them.
The home was clean and comfortable and work was being carried out to improve décor, carpets and furnishings. Appropriate equipment was provided and health and safety checks were undertaken to ensure people were cared for in a safe environment.
New staff had been properly checked and vetted before they were employed. There were sufficient numbers of staff to provide people with continuity of care and support the running of the home. The staff team were skilled and experienced. They were given training that was relevant to their roles and specific to meeting the needs of people living at the home.
People were appropriately supported to meet their health needs and to access health care services. Prescribed medicines were stored and administered safely and accurate records of medicines were kept.
Nutritional needs were monitored and specialist advice was sought when necessary. Special diets and aids were provided and staff assisted people who were unable to eat and drink independently. Meetings between care and catering staff had been introduced and changes were being made to enhance people’s mealtime experience.
The management and staff had a good awareness of people’s rights to make choices and decisions about their care. People and their families were encouraged to express their views and to be involved in and agree to their care. Assessments and individual care plans were reviewed monthly to ensure they reflected people’s needs and the care they required.
Staff knew people well and how they wanted their care to be given. They were caring and patient when supporting people and treated them as individuals. People told us the staff respected their privacy and dignity and said they were happy with the care provided. They felt any concerns they raised would be quickly addressed.
Suitable arrangements had been made for managing the home and providing leadership to staff whilst a new manager was being recruited. There were effective systems to check and develop the quality of the service that people received.