Archived: The Knowl

Updated 10 February 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 checked whether the provider was 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.

This inspection took place on the on 21 and 22 December and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give us key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the completed PIR, previous inspection reports and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about in law.

We spoke with five people, two relatives, five care staff, the registered manager, one healthcare professional and two police community support officers. We reviewed four people’s care files and records relating to the management of the service. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

Updated 10 February 2016

This inspection took place on 21 and 22 December 2015. The inspection was unannounced.

The Knowl is registered to provide accommodation for up to 15 adults with mental health needs who require personal care. At the time of the inspection there were 10 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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 were safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report concerns and the service worked with the local authority if there were any concerns. People received their medicines safely as prescribed. Staff assessed risks associated with people's care and took action to reduce risks.

People told us they benefitted from caring relationships with the staff who knew how to support them. Staff were supported through one to one meetings with their managers and training to enable them to provide a high degree of care.

Staff understood the needs of people, particularly those living with mental health needs, and provided care with kindness and compassion. People spoke positively about the service and the care they received. Staff took time to talk with people and provide activities.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The service had robust recruitment procedures in place which ensured staff were suitable for their role. Background checks were conducted to ensure staff were of good character.

The registered manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) which governs decision-making on behalf of adults who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. People’s capacity to make decisions was assessed appropriately.

People said they were able to raise issues and concerns. They told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken.

The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided in the home. Learning was identified and action taken to make improvements which improved people’s safety and quality of life. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care. People’s opinions were sought and their preference respected and acted upon.

People were supported to maintain good health. Referrals to healthcare professionals were timely and appropriate and any guidance was followed. Healthcare professionals spoke positively about the service.

All staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff told us they were approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service. People knew the registered manager and spoke to them openly and with confidence.

The service maintained links with the local community through police community support officer’s local groups and businesses. People had access to volunteering opportunities that were supported by the service.