Archived: Owls Barn

Is the service safe?

One person we spoke with told us they had lived at Owls Barn for twenty eight years and they said they felt safe there. When we spoke with the manager and a member of the care staff they told us the people they supported were vulnerable because of a mental health condition and they understood the importance of keeping people safe.

Risk assessments were in place for everyone supported by the service. The provider had a system in place to identify, assess and manage risks relating to people's health and welfare.

The provider carried out checks when they employed new staff to ensure they had the appropriate experience and qualifications to care for people.

The service had policies in place for managing medicines safely.

Is the service effective?

Peoples, needs were assessed and care plans were reviewed monthly. Care staff reviewed the support provided and identified if any changes to care plans were needed. Risk assessments had been carried out and were reviewed regularly. Care was adjusted if a person's condition meant they required more support.

One person's mobility had deteriorated and we saw the service had installed a stair lift to support them. Care staff had the appropriate training and experience to enable them to carry out their role effectively. Care staff told us they received regular supervision and appraisal. Care staff training was up to date.

Is the service caring?

We observed staff and saw they had a good rapport with the people they supported. When spoke with two people who used the service.Their comments showed us that they felt well cared for and that they valued the staff who supported them. One person told us care staff looked after people. They told us the manager had been in hospital and they had been worried about them. They said they were able to do the things they enjoyed, including shopping with staff for clothes and watching television in their room in the evening.

Another person read to us. The manager told us this person had been unable to read when they had arrived at the home. They told us and staff had spent time reading with them so they could develop their own ability to read. The person told us how much they now enjoyed reading.

Is the service effective?

The service supported people to obtain appropriate health and social care support. The advice of healthcare professionals had been used to inform and adjust people's care plans and monitor their condition. This enabled the provider to assess the effectiveness of people's support plans.

Is the service well led?

The manager told us about their commitment to support people with complex needs. The member of care staff we spoke with told us how the manager had supported them to develop their skills to care for people.

We spoke with two people who told us they were happy with the care they received. We saw a complaint made by a relative about a member of staff's behaviour. When we spoke with the manager they told us they had spoken with other care staff and found the person's behaviour towards people who used the service was unacceptable. They said they had upheld the complaint and dismissed the person.

We found that systems were in place to protect people who might not be able to make informed decisions on their own about the care they received.

We found that systems were in place to ensure that people were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink in sufficient quantities to meet their individual needs and preferences.

We found that people were happy with the standard of the premises which were very well maintained and maintained to a high standard of hygiene.

People told us they felt the staff had the right qualifications, skills and knowledge to perform their duties. They also said that all the staff were very caring and considerate to their needs.

People felt confident in highlighting any concerns or complaints about the quality of service provision and felt that the management team would address any concerns in a timely manner.

We spoke with four people who lived at the service, two staff members and the registered manager. We also looked at records. These included care records and information about how the service operated.

We also spent some time in communal areas of the home. We observed how staff interacted with people living in the home. We found staff used their training and experience to provide safe care.

We saw that support was being provided for people within a family environment. The people said they had lived there for a number of years and told us they were happy and liked living at the home. One person said, 'This is a good place to live. Staff work hard and to a very high standard.'

The people also told us they led a fairly independent life style and enjoyed doing a range of activities which included; going into the local town, and taking part in community activities and trips. People told us they did this with help from the manager, their family and staff members who the manager had employed to support them.

One person talked about the things they did saying, "We get out when we want to the shops and trips that we sort out together." People told us they felt safe and talked to us about support they received. One person said, "They look after me really well, I don't want to live anywhere else."