Archived: Forest Drive Residential Home

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. People told us they did not feel at risk using the service. One person said "I feel safe living here." Staff had undertaken training in areas that promoted people's safety including training about safeguarding vulnerable adults and moving and handling people. Risk assessments had been carried out to help reduce the risks people faced.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed with them, and they were involved in writing their plans of care. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required. People and their relatives told us that they had been involved in writing them and they reflected their current needs. One relative of a person told us, 'every year we review my mother's care plan and look at her needs. If anything needs changing they do it.'

Is the service caring?

People were supported by caring and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. One person told us, "the staff do care for me." One relative of a person said, "staff have been caring and attentive to my relative." Another relative told us, "I come here every day and see they look after people. They are caring."

We talked with staff, and we found they were aware of how to support each person in ways that were right for the individual. During the course of the visit we saw that staff helped people quickly, when they asked for support.

Is the service responsive?

The service carried out assessments of people's needs before they began to provide support. Assessments included information on people's likes and preferences. The service involved others such as dieticians and district nurses where there was a need.

Is the service well-led?

The service had a registered manager in place and a clear management structure. Staff we spoke with said they found management staff to be approachable. Clear records were maintained which were stored securely. Quality assurance and monitoring processes were in place. These included seeking the views of people who used the service.

One relative who visited the home several times a week told us 'staff are absolutely brilliant, very patient' and 'they treat people as individuals.' Care plans contained comprehensive information on people's care needs, life history and likes/dislikes.

The provider has taken steps to provide care in an environment that is suitably designed and adequately maintained. The home was effectively secured and regular fire alarm checks and drills were carried out.

Staff received appropriate professional development and training; they said they felt supported.

People had their comments and complaints listened to and acted on, without the fear that they would be discriminated against for making a complaint. There was a copy of the 'Concerns and complaints' policy in the office but this was not readily available for people or their relatives to see.

People's personal records including medical records were accurate and fit for purpose. Care plans had been audited within the last year and risk assessments were reviewed every month.

People's Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. We found risk assessments were undertaken and management plans were put in place to manage any potential risks and ensure people's safety.

People we spoke with said staff were fine. Two relatives told us staff appeared well trained. One relative told us "most times I come here they have some training going on."

We found documentary evidence staff had training and appropriate professional development related to their roles and responsibilities. Courses attended by staff included manual handling, first aid, dementia, fire safety, health and safety, infection control and drug administration.

Staff were respectful when talking about and to people and were seen to support people at a pace appropriate to their needs.

We were told by the provider/manager that they had made most of the changes which had been required from the last inspection and were working towards others. We saw evidence that the provider/manager had employed the services of a consultant to help develop the service and undertake regular quality assurance assessments to support continued compliance with the Essential Standards.

We did not assess compliance with 'care and welfare' and 'supporting workers' at this inspection.