Archived: Nascent House

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records.

We found that the home was not meeting all areas.

If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

You can see our judgements on the front page of this report.

Is the service caring?

We found that the people were cared for in relaxed, comfortable environment by caring staff. However both of the people who were living in the home told us that while the care staff were great and very caring, they felt that the senior managers were uncaring and disrespectful to them. They told us that visiting senior managers did not speak to them or make eye contact with them. They told us that this made them feel disrespected and uncomfortable.

Is the service responsive?

There was one member of staff on duty on the day of our inspection. This meant that the staff member could not be fully responsive to each person as an individual because they had a duty of care to ensure the safety and welfare of both persons. One of the people told us that because of the staffing levels that they could not get out and about accompanied by staff as much as they felt they needed to in preparation for unlimited time alone in the community. They said that this made them feel anxious.

Is the service safe?

We saw that staff were aware of risk management and the balance between promoting independence and keeping people safe. Staff had been trained to recognise and respond to signs and allegations of abuse.

Is the service effective?

We looked at the care plans of the two people and found that they had been involved in establishing what care the person needed to recover from their addiction . We saw that care plans gave detailed directions to staff to ensure the care they gave was effective.

Is the service well led?

The manager had been absent from the home for a month. Senior managers were unable to explain or evidence what management was in place in the home. There were no senior staff in the home and none of the care staff had access to the guidance of a senior carer or manager.

However, we found that care plans and risk assessments were not person centred and lacked detail. Incidents reportable to the Care Quality Commission had not been reported and suitable safeguarding arrangements were not in place.

The people who lived at Nascent House had a pre admission assessment that ensured the treatment on offer was suited to their needs. Their progress was monitored through one to one and group sessions.

We were told that the food was good and that their general health had improved since they came to live at Nascent House.

The staff told us that they were well supported and that the manager was easy to talk to. Care plans and risk assessment had been drawn up in a manner that ensured the person's health, dignity and recovery were promoted.

The people were cared for by a group of staff and volunteers who had been appropriately appointed and trained.