Archived: Four Seasons

Updated 28 April 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 was planned to check whether the provider is 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 17 February 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection we looked at previous inspection reports and notifications received by CQC which a provider is required to send us by law. Notifications are information we receive from the service when significant events happen, like a serious injury.

During our inspection we spoke with all five people, a visiting relative, four staff, the deputy manager and one of the business partners. We sat with people and made observations of the care and support people received and the culture of the home. We visited people’s bedrooms with their permission and looked at three people’s care records, including medicines records and risk assessments. We looked at management records including staff recruitment, training and support records, health and safety checks for the building, and quality assurance surveys.

We last inspected Four Seasons on 2 December 2013. At that time we found that the registered provider was complying with the regulations.

Updated 28 April 2016

This inspection was carried out on 17 February 2016 and was unannounced.

Four Seasons is a converted domestic property in a residential area on the outskirts of Dover. It provides accommodation and support for five people with learning disabilities. Some people need help to manage their physical and mental health conditions and some people have mobility and sensory difficulties.

The deputy manager was leading the service and was present at the inspection as the registered manager was away. 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 home was run in a family style. It was warm, friendly and everyone was treated and respected equally. People were cared for and supported to develop their independence in a secure environment so that their confidence could grow. People said that they were happy and settled in the home and lived an active lifestyle. Staff were kind and caring and were skilled at supporting people to learn and develop new skills. A visiting relative said, “I knock on the door and it doesn’t matter who’s on, they always say do you want a cup of tea and have time for a chat. I couldn’t wish for better.”

People’s needs were assessed and their preferences taken into account when they moved into the home. People were given time to get to know people and to settle into the home. Each person had a key worker who was the person who would take a particular interest in making sure they had what they needed. Care and support plans were designed around people’s individual interests and needs. These were written in a way people could understand and included pictures and photos.

Staff were trained and competent to carry out their roles. Staff were supervised and had yearly appraisals. All staff were checked before they started work at the service to make sure they were of good character and safe to work with people. Staff knew about abuse and the signs to look for and how to report it.

People were given the support they needed to make any concerns known to the staff. Systems were in place to manage complaints received. People said or indicated that they felt safe and secure at Four Seasons.

The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Arrangements were in place to apply to the supervisory body for a DoLS authorisation when necessary. People were not restricted and went out when they wanted to.

People were supported to participate in a variety of activities that they enjoyed. Potential risks to them had been identified and were managed to keep them as safe as possible. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs with staffing planned around peoples’ appointments and activities.

People were supported with their health and to understand how to stay healthy. Staff spent time with people explaining in a way they could understand about health conditions and healthy living. Information was designed so that it was meaningful for each person. People had photos, pictures, large print explaining medical procedures. Some people had photos of the step by step procedure if they were attending medical appointments or treatment. For example, having a flu vaccination. Each person had learnt about their medicines and took their own with the support they needed.

People were encouraged to eat healthily and all were involved in deciding what to eat and helped at mealtimes.

People were able to share their views about the service provided and there was a system of gaining feedback from relatives, visitors and visiting professionals.

Health and safety audits of the environment and equipment were carried out regularly to make sure people were safe in the service. Environmental risk assessments were in place and each person has a personal plan to be actioned in the event of an emergency.