Archived: Oakhouse Care Services

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what we observed, the records we looked at and what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us.

If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People were being cared for in an environment that was safe, clean and hygienic. On the day of our visit we found the environment neat and tidy. The people we spoke with told us they felt safe in the home, and confirmed staff had spoken to them about how to keep safe. One person told us'If I ever felt frightened I would speak to the manager.'

The staff records we read showed that the staff had received appropriate training to keep people safe including safeguarding. Staff were able to explain how this training kept the people who used the service safe. We saw records that showed that gas and electrical checks were carried out on an annual basis and people told us that the service carried out 'regular' fire drills.

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They aim to make sure that people in care homes and hospitals are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. The staff we spoke with had received DoLS training and understood their responsibilities in relation to this legislation.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the care they received and felt the service met their needs. One of the people we spoke with said 'X (the registered manager) knows me very well, X is fantastic.' Another person we spoke with said 'I love living here.' They continued on to say 'all my needs are met.' The home was small and only registered to provide care for two people. The majority of the care was provided by the registered manager. We observed registered managers interaction with people and they appeared to be familiar with their needs and they had a good understanding of the people who used the service.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. The people we spoke with said 'The home has a family atmosphere.' We observed staffs interaction with people and found that they treated people in a pleasant manner and with respect. We read cards that were sent to the service from the relatives of people who used the service. The cards we read were very positive about the service provided. Comments included 'thank you for taking care of X' and 'X is well looked after.'

Is the service responsive?

People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. The people we spoke with told us the service had asked them about their lives and what they liked to do. The records we read showed that the service had completed assessments for people who used the service. All the records had care plans that had taken into account issues identified during the assessments the service had completed. The records we read showed that people were supported to access activities that were important to them and that the service was able to respond quickly when people changed their mind about what they want to do. One of the people we spoke with said 'I like to do different things X supports me to do what I want to do.'

Is the service well-led?

The staff we spoke with were aware of the aims and objectives of the home ie a 'caring ' and 'responsive' service. We saw that the service regularly asked people for their views of the service and acted upon what they found. People told us that the registered manager consulted with them before implementing changes to services the home provided and that their views had been taken into consideration.

The person using the service described how they were involved in planning and agreeing care. They said, 'I do the care plan and notes with the manager.' The person using the service had a good knowledge of the care plan and this was confirmed when we spoke with the manager.

Both people receiving the service had lived there for over 10 years. We saw that the manager (who is also the owner), had been able to provide consistent care that had been sustained for a long time. We saw that the style of the service was family orientated. The manager provided the vast majority of the care on her own. A care worker helped her three mornings per week.

The medication arrangements had been carefully organised to ensure that people get the correct dose at the correct time. The people using the service self-medicate with support from the manager. The home's records were up to date and we saw that

relevant staff training had been received.