We carried out a review of the data available to us about Slade House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Slade House, you can give feedback on this service.
At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good.
People and their relatives felt confident that people were safe and secure when receiving care. There were clear systems in place to ensure the safety of people. Staff had received training to identify if people were at risk from abuse or harm.
Sufficient staff were deployed to ensure that people had a consistently reliable service. Recruitment procedures to appoint new staff were thorough. People were supported to take their medicines safely.
People who use the service used a range of communication methods. These included non-verbal to limited verbal communication. People's individual methods of communication were clearly understood by staff.
People received good quality care. Staff treated people with respect and kindness at all times and were passionate about providing a quality service that was person centred. People were encouraged to live a fulfilled life with activities of their choosing and were supported to keep in contact with their families.
People's dignity and privacy was respected. People told us staff were reliable, friendly, and caring. Staff developed positive and caring relationships with the people they supported and used creative ways to enable people to remain independent.
Quality assurance frameworks in place across the service were robust. The registered manager conducted regular audits that were systematic and meaningful. They ensured the service continued to provide excellent quality and safe care. The records kept of these checks showed that, where issues were identified, prompt action had been taken.
People received their care and support from a staff team that had a full understanding of people's care needs and the skills and knowledge to meet them. Staff were given an induction when they started and had access to a range of training to provide them with the level of skills and knowledge to deliver care efficiently.
Further information is in the detailed findings in the full report.
This inspection was unannounced. Slade House is one of eight separate care homes within the Purley Park Trust Estate. Slade House provides personal care and support for up to eight people who have learning disabilities. There were seven people living at the service when we visited.
The manager assessed and monitored the quality of care consistently with the help of staff and other members of staff in the company. However, the systems were not always effective as we found some inaccurate records. People received their prescribed medicine safely and on time. However, records of medicine stock were not always accurate. The home encouraged feedback from people and families, which they used to make improvements to the service.
Staff received a thorough induction when they started work at the home. They understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values and philosophy of the service which we saw were put into daily practice. Staff were up to date with their training to perform their roles and responsibilities and care for people. Those who were out of date with their training, were booked for the next available session. People felt happy and supported by staff.
The home was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The DoLS provide a lawful way to deprive someone of their liberty, provided it is in their own best interests or is necessary to keep them from harm. The managers and staff were knowledgeable about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). They had taken appropriate action with the local authority to determine if anyone was being restricted of their rights and liberties. At the time of our visit none of the outcomes were known for the applications submitted. Staff were following the principles of the MCA when supporting people who lacked capacity to make a decision.
People felt safe at Slade House and their relatives agreed they were protected from abuse. Staff knew how to identify if people were at risk of abuse and knew what to do to ensure they were protected.
The home ensured there were enough qualified and knowledgeable staff to meet people’s needs at all times. The provider had employed good staff and took steps to make sure the care was based on local and national guidance. Staff were focused on following the best practice at the service making sure people received appropriate care and support. There were robust recruitment processes in place. All necessary safety checks were completed to ensure prospective staff members were suitable before they were appointed to post.
People were given a nutritious and balanced diet. Hot and cold drinks and snacks were available between meals. People had their healthcare needs identified and were able to access healthcare professionals such as their GP. Staff knew how to access specialist professional help when needed.
People and relatives told us good things about the service they received. Our observations and the records we looked at confirmed the positive descriptions people and relatives had given us. Staff understood the needs of the people and we saw care was provided with kindness and compassion. People and their families told us they were happy with their care.
Throughout our inspection we saw examples of appropriate support that helped make the service a place where people felt included and consulted. People and their families were involved in the planning of their care and were treated with dignity, privacy and respect.
We found that peoples care and welfare was important to staff and the care plans were being followed.
People were safeguarded from abuse because staff were trained to identify, prevent and to respond to events relating to safeguarding incidents.
Three care workers were on duty each morning and evening and one person did a 'waking night' but could call on the assistance of a 'floating' night worker, who was on the larger site, if necessary.
Staff were recruited safely and effectively, using standard procedures and checks. They were then trained to a minimum standard and above. This meant that people using the service were supported by suitable people who were well trained.
Staff, care and management records were up to date, reviewed and stored in a secure place.
People were called by their preferred name and treated with respect. We observed staff supporting people who lived in Slade House and saw that this reflected what had been written in their care plan.
Staff training was up to date and included safeguarding. We spoke with four staff members including the manager. Staff felt well supported and had regular one-to-one meetings and supervisions.
There was an effective process in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.