Archived: The Vines

Updated 7 October 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 was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We inspected the service on 7 and 8 September 2016. This was an announced inspection. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice as the service provides respite for people and we wanted to be sure that someone would be available to assist us with the inspection. The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Prior to our inspection we checked the information that we held about the service such as previous inspection reports, information we had received and statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We contacted commissioners (who fund the care for some people) of the service and asked them for their views.

During the visit we spoke with one person who used the service, three care workers, the team co-ordinator and the registered manager. We observed care and support in communal areas. We looked at the care records of three people who used the service, staff training and the recruitment records of three staff, as well as a range of documentation in relation to the running of the service including medication records and audits. Following our visit we spoke with two relatives of people who used the service.

Updated 7 October 2016

We inspected The Vines on 7 and 8 September 2016. This was an announced inspection. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice as the service provides respite for people and we wanted to be sure that someone would be available to assist us with the inspection.

The Vines is located in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire. The service provides respite care for people with a range of needs including those with learning and physical disabilities. The service is registered to provide accommodation and support with personal care for up to four people.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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.

People and their relatives felt safe. People were protected from the risk of abuse as management and staff had a very good understanding of their roles and responsibilities if they suspected abuse was happening.

Risks to people’s safety were identified and assessments carried out and followed by staff to minimise the risk of harm.

People received care and support in a timely way as there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. People could be assured of safe recruitment practices.

People received their medicines as prescribed and the management of medicines was safe.

People received support from staff who received training and support to ensure they could carry out their roles effectively. Staff had their competency checked if using specialist equipment or carrying out specific procedures and felt supported and confident in their role.

People were encouraged and supported to make independent decisions wherever possible. In the event people lacked capacity to make their own decisions, the Mental Capacity Act (2005) was followed to ensure people’s rights were protected.

People were supported to maintain their nutritional and health needs. Referrals were made to health care professionals for additional support or guidance when needed and staff followed their guidance to ensure people maintained good health.

People were supported in a respectful and friendly manner and we observed that positive caring relationships had been developed between staff and people using the service. Where possible people were involved in planning their own support.

Staff understood peoples support needs and ensured they received personalised responsive care. Detailed and up to date guidance was contained within people’s support plans. People had the opportunity to take part in activities as they wished.

People, who used the service, and their relatives, knew how to raise an issue or complaint and were confident these would be listened to and acted upon.

Some improvements were required to systems to ensure people were supported in a consistently clean and safe environment and that regular audits were effective in identifying and responding to issues.

There was an open and transparent working culture at The Vines. People who used the service, their relatives and staff felt listened to and able to make suggestions to drive improvements at the service.