Archived: The Dome Residential Home

Updated 26 October 2015

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 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 24 and 25 September 2015 and was unannounced. We returned on 28 September 2015 to collect some additional evidence we had requested.

One inspector conducted the inspection.

Before our inspection we reviewed previous inspection reports and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During our visit we spoke with the three people who lived at The Dome. We observed interactions throughout the day between people and care staff. We spoke with the registered provider, both deputy managers, one care worker and a relative who was visiting. We also spoke with a visiting care professional. We pathway tracked each person using the service. This is when we follow a person’s experience through the service and view their care records to gain an understanding of the actions staff have taken to ensure safe and effective care is provided. We looked at each person’s care plans and medicines administration records (MAR), staff duty rosters, five staff recruitment and training files, health and safety records and quality assurance systems.

Following the inspection we spoke with three health and social care professionals to obtain their views about the provided by The Dome.

We last inspected the home on 25 October 2013 where no concerns were identified.

Updated 26 October 2015

The Dome Residential Home is a small, family run care home and provides care and support for up to three people with a range of health care needs. The home is situated on the first floor of a larger building owned by the registered provider. The home is on the seafront at Barton on Sea and is opposite local shops and cafes. Each person has their own room which is personalised with their own belongings and furnishings.

The home was not required to have a registered manager as the provider is registered as an individual with the commission and was in day to day charge. The registered provider was fully involved with managing the home and providing care to people on a daily basis. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered provider was supported to manage the home by two deputy managers.

There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to ensure the needs of people could be met. Staff recruitment was robust and followed policies and procedures that ensured only those considered suitable to work with people who were at risk were employed.

Staff were appropriately trained and skilled to deliver effective care. They all received a thorough induction when they started work and fully understood their responsibilities to report any concerns of possible abuse. Records showed staff received regular training and were supported with opportunities for on-going personal development and further qualifications.

People were treated with respect and compassion. Observations showed staff knew people very well and considered their emotional wellbeing, choices and wishes and promoted their independence. People were supported and encouraged to take part in activities they had chosen. Records showed people’s hobbies and interests were documented and staff accurately described people’s preferred routines.

Care plans and risk assessments had been reviewed regularly and people’s support was personalised and tailored to their individual needs. Referrals to health care professionals were made quickly when people became unwell and advice was acted upon. Each health care professional we spoke with told us the staff were very responsive to people’s changing health needs.

The registered provider assessed and monitored the quality of care provided by involving people and relatives, although this was not always recorded. Each person and relative we spoke with told us they felt able to voice their opinions about the quality of care provided.

Health and safety checks were completed to ensure the environment was maintained to a safe standard. Some records relating to the management of the service, such as policies, required updating. However, this was already in hand. The registered provider had sought advice and new documentation was ready to be implemented.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. No one at The Dome required a DoLS but the deputy manager understood when an application should be made.