The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Libury Hall

Great Munden, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 1JD (01920) 438722

Provided and run by:
Trustees of Libury Hall

All Inspections

13 November 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with nine people who used the service and three members of staff including the manager. We spoke with a visiting professional.

People who used the service were all assessed as having the mental capacity to make decisions in relation to their day to day care. The service understood the need to formally identify when a person's mental capacity required reassessment before decisions were made on their behalf.

People told us that they were happy with the care they received. They told us that they were involved in decisions about their care and were encouraged to make day to day choices. One person told us, 'I chose whether to live in the main part of the building or in one of the independent cottages. I tried out the cottage before deciding it was where I wanted to be."

Staff could describe people's needs and demonstrated a good knowledge of their preferences.

Medicine, including controlled drugs, were stored, administered and recorded appropriately. Senior staff were trained and assessed as competent to manage medication.

A thorough recruitment process was in place including an application form and full interview. Appropriate checks on staff were made to ensure that people's safety was protected. Staff were expected to pass a probationary period prior to their contract of employment being confirmed.

Care records, staff records and those related to the running of the service were appropriately kept and stored.

31 August 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with seven people who lived at the service. They told us that generally they were happy in the home. One person talked to us in detail about their experience of care at the home. They told us that they had found friends in the Libury Hall. They stated that they had a key worker, this was a staff member who was allocated to work primarily with them. The person told us that they were present at their care plan reviews and that they could comment on the content of them. The other four people added that they all were invited to their care plan reviews. This showed that people who lived there were involved in their care planning.

All seven people spoken with told us that they felt safe and protected. A person told us: 'We feel safe here. We are like a big family here.' Five people stated that they were treated with respect and trusted staff to hold their medication and their money. Three people added that they always signed their money transactions and confirmed that they, 'Could always have access to our money.'

All seven people spoken with stated that staff were very good. One person added: 'They are like our friends, especially key workers.' All people thought that staff knew their needs and were well trained to support each individual.

We also observed 11 people in a dining room at the lunch time, supported by four staff members. They all looked relaxed and comfortable.

All seven people spoken with stated that the staff often asked them if they were happy and if they had everything they needed. Five people remembered filling in the surveys. This showed that the provider was regularly monitoring the quality of the service.