All inspections: Longview House - Care Quality Commission

This was an unannounced inspection, carried out on 3 & 10 September 2015.

Based in a residential area of Huyton, Longview House provides support for people to manage their mental health. The service operates a three stage approach with three separate living areas within the building. The three stages support people to move from receiving full support to semi-independent and finally independent living. Staff are available 24 hours a day to support people when needed. Ten people were using the service at the time of this inspection.

The service has 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.

The last inspection of Longview House was carried out in October 2013 and we found that the service was meeting all of the regulations we assessed.

People were protected from abuse and the risk of abuse. People who used the service clearly understood how they should be cared for by the staff. In the event of having a concern about their or another person’s safety, people told us that they knew who to speak to.

Systems were in place for the safe management of people’s medicines. Policies and procedures relating to the safe management, administration and recording of medicines were readily available to staff. A designated medicines room was available for the safe storage and administration of people’s medicines.

People showed us around the service and told us that the shared lounge and dining room had recently been re-decorated. A number of people told us that they were in the process of visiting local shops to choose new furnishings and curtains for their bedrooms.

People explained that they had a set budget everyday to purchase their food. One person told us more money was available if needed and that some people chose to go to the supermarket and others chose to use the local shops to buy their provisions.

People who used the service told us that the staff that supported them were well trained to do their job. Staff told us that they felt they received appropriate training for their role. In addition they told us that they received regular supervision from their line manager.

Staff told us that their role included ensuring that people’s privacy and dignity were promoted and maintained. We saw that people had a clear understanding of their rights to privacy and dignity.

People told us that they were encouraged by staff to maintain contact with their family. Other people said that their families visited on a regular basis and that staff always gave them privacy when they had visitors. A small private lounge area was available for people to receive their visitors or speak with staff in private.

People told us that physical exercises were promoted to keep people fit and healthy. For example, football and badminton matches were organised against other teams in the local area, including those run by other services.

Regular opportunities were available for people to comment about the service they received. For example, people had the opportunity to comment to the registered provider about the service via feedback forms that were available within the home. In addition, people met on a weekly basis with their keyworker and fortnightly ‘community’ meetings were held for people to get together and discuss the service.

Quality assurance systems were in place to ensure that the service was safe. In addition the registered provider carried out spot checks on the service and regular health and safety audits. Any actions from the registered provider’s spot checks and audits were documented and acted upon.

During our visit we spoke with four people living at Longview House. We talked to four staff members who held different roles within the service and we also spoke with health and social care professionals that visit the service. People told us they liked living at Longview House. Their comments included, 'It's great here, the staff help me when I need it' and 'The staff are caring and don't talk down to you." During our visit we observed staff interacting with people who use the service in a warm and respectful manner.

People were appropriately supported to make choices and decisions about their care. Where needed written agreements were in place obtaining people's consent to care and treatment.

The people we spoke with said that their needs had been met and that they had been happy with the care provided. One person commented, 'The staff understand my moods and always cheer me up." We found that staff had a good understanding of the support needs of the people living at Longview House. This included knowledge about mental disorder as well as appropriate care and treatment options available. Care records demonstrated that people's needs had been assessed and appropriate plans were in place to meet identified support needs. We found evidence of care plans and risk assessments being reviewed regularly.

People told us they felt confident that staff would take the appropriate steps in an emergency or if they became unwell, and that communication between staff and their care team was good.

New staff only started work following the completion of appropriate pre-employment checks. This ensured that people were supported by staff that had the right experience, skills, and qualities to carry out their support roles. During our visit we saw evidence that records relating to care and staffing were accurate and up to date. The provider is currently in the process of implementing an electronic care records system.

People told us they were aware of how to complain about the service. Leaflets on how to make a complaint were available in the communal area. A printed copy of our last inspection report was available and in a prominent position in the hallway.

During our visit we met many of the people living / staying at Longview House and spoke in private with seven of them. We also talked with five members of staff who held different roles within the service. People told us that they had liked Longview House. Their comments included, 'They are getting me motivated' and 'I think it's a good place'.

We found that staff had a good understanding of the support needs of the people living/ staying at Longview House and that they had received the training and support they had needed to undertake their role effectively. Care records evidenced that people's care and welfare needs had been regularly assessed and plans implemented to meet these. People told us they had received the support they had needed and that their care had always been discussed with them. One person commented, 'It's kept me well' and another, 'They talk to me, not at me'.

People told us they had found Longview House a safe place to live / stay and we found that staff had an understanding of safeguarding adult's and how to report any potential incidents.

Some work had been carried out to improve the internal environment at Longview House. A major refurbishment of the building had been agreed in principle by the organisation. Overall we found the building provided acceptable conditions however the planned refurbishment would provide more privacy and a more modern style of living for people.

This is a purpose built home which covers two floors. The service is divided into three areas. One for service users who require a higher level of support, service users in rehabilitation and finally service users who have the opportunity to live independently within a supportive environment.

We found people we spoke to were very welcoming, this included service users and staff. Some people did not wish to speak to the inspector and this was respected. There were no visitors during the site inspection.

We spoke to the manager who is currently going through the registration process with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We also spoke to most of the members of staff on duty at some point in the inspection process.

A service user we spoke to told us they like living there, comments included, "It's OK I have everything I need.' And, 'I like the staff they are very good to me.' Also, 'I had a good christmas I went home, it was the first time I've been able to do it.'

There are a number of external agencies involved with the home. They include social services, and a range of other health care professionals. As this is a home which provides care and support for people with a range of mental health problems, they work specifically with mental health specialists who work closely with staff. Psychiatric nurses have regular involvement with people who live there. People told us they have regular visits to other healthcare professionals. One person was arranging an appointment during the site inspection.

We spoke to a range of staff working in the home and they all demonstrated an awareness of the individual needs of people living there, and the importance of treating people with respect and dignity. Comments we received told us, "Staff do a good job.' Also 'I've been here a long time but they are the same staff.'

All the staff we spoke to told us this is a good home to work in and staff felt supported in carrying out their roles. One staff member said, "We get a lot of support from the management team.' Also, "We work really well as a team, some of us have worked here for years.'

Archived: Longview House

All Inspections

3 & 10 September 2015

During a routine inspection

3 October 2013

During a routine inspection

16 January 2013

During a routine inspection

5 January 2012

During a routine inspection