Archived: St Bridget's Care Home

St Bridget’s is a small, family run residential care home that provides care for people who have a learning disability. The home can accommodate up to five people. At the time of the inspection there were three people living at the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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..

We observed positive and caring interactions between people, the registered manager and staff. The registered manager and staff knew the people they cared for well and spoke about them with warmth, fondness and affection. One staff member told us; “We want the best for people”.

People’s care plans were detailed documents which contained information about their background, history, like and dislikes. Staff confirmed that the care plans contained the correct guidance and information in order to support people.

People enjoyed the meals. They told us they were of sufficient quality and quantity and there were alternatives on offer for people to choose from. People were involved in planning the menus and their feedback on the food was sought.

People had their healthcare needs met. For example, people told us they had their medicines as prescribed and on time. People were supported to see a range of healthcare professionals including psychologists, doctors and social workers, when necessary. People were kept cognitively and socially engaged through a range of activities, both at home and in the local area; these included attending day centres and going on holidays.

The registered manager and staff had received training relevant to their role and there was a system in place to remind them when it was due to be renewed or refreshed.

Staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act and how this applied to their role. People at the service had capacity to make decisions for themselves, but staff were knowledgeable about what action they would need to take if this changed and had received training in this area. People were involved in planning their care and their consent was sought prior to being provided with any assistance.

There was a safeguarding adults policy in place at the service and staff had undergone training on this subject. The registered manager and staff confidently described how they would recognise and report any signs of abuse, including which external agencies they would contact if required. There was a whistleblowing policy in place and the registered manager promoted an ethos of openness and honesty at the service.

People, staff and relatives were encouraged to give feedback through a variety of forums including team meetings and residents’ meetings. This feedback was used to drive improvements within the service. There was a system in place for receiving and managing complaints. People and relatives said they felt confident that if they raised concerns these would be dealt with to their satisfaction. The registered manager operated an annual cycle of quality assurance and there were audits and checks in place to detect any issues and make changes if required.

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

Is the service safe?

At the time of our inspection we found that St.Bridgets provided a safe service.

People told us they felt safe and secure. The people we spoke with were positive about the staff who worked with them. People told us staff were caring and supportive. For example one person said 'I am very happy, all the staff are very kind. They are very good.'

Staff told us if they had any concerns about how people who used the service were cared for they would take their concerns seriously.

We saw that the home was well maintained. Decorations and furnishings were homely, clean and comfortable. Equipment was well maintained and regularly serviced.

On the day of the inspection the home was clean and there were no unpleasant odours. The people who used the service all said they were happy with the standard of cleanliness.

We inspected the staff rotas which showed that there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people's needs throughout the day and night. People said they received a consistent and safe level of support. For example we were told if people rang the call bell staff would come to assist them promptly.

Is the service effective?

At the time of our inspection we found that St.Bridgets provided an effective service.

People all had an individual care plan which set out their care needs. Care plans contained satisfactory information and were accessible to staff and the people who used the service. People said staff met their needs and responded promptly when they needed assistance. People had access to doctors, district nurses, chiropodists and opticians and suitable records were maintained regarding this support.

Is the service caring?

At the time of our inspection we found that St.Bridgets provided a caring service.

People who used the service said they were supported by kind and professional staff. Comments included 'I like it here. The staff are very good,' and 'It is very, very good here.'

Our observations of the care provided, discussions with people and records we looked at enabled us to conclude that individual wishes regarding people's care and support were taken into account and respected.

Is the service responsive?

At the time of our inspection we found that St.Bridgets provided a responsive service.

The people we spoke with said the staff treated them with respect and dignity.

People who used the service told us there was a choice of activities available.

People were positive about the support they received. People we spoke with said their support was received in a way they wanted staff to provide it. From reviewing records we judged care plans included suitable information to assist the staff who worked at the home.

Is the service well-led?

At the time of our inspection we found that St.Bridgets provided a well led service.

The home had a system to check people were happy with the service. People's personal care records, and other records kept in the home, were accurate and complete.

People who used the service, were positive about the registered manager and other staff. People told us if they had any concerns or complaints management were approachable and would take suitable action. There was clear evidence the registered persons did what they could to ensure the home was well run and was continually improving.

During our inspection, we found people's privacy, dignity and independence were respected and people's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.

Care plans were descriptive and detailed.

The provider sought consent from people who used the service for decisions about all aspects of their lives.

People who used the services were supported to have adequate nutrition and hydration.

The premises were largely well maintained but one persons' shower room was in need of updating.

We asked the provider to tell us, with supporting evidence, how they had complied with the outcomes identified as non-compliant at the last inspection.

We did not visit the service or speak with people who used the service on this occasion.

We found the provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to health, safety and welfare of people who used the service and others.

People told us the provider 'was nice'. All of the people we spoke to were complimentary about the provider and the staff.

One person asked us if we could mention to the provider they wanted a new key for their bedroom door.

One person told us 'I would like someone to take me out more'; the same person told us they felt transport was limited and they get 'lonely at times' in the dark evenings.

During our inspection, we found people's privacy, dignity and independence were respected and people's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care.

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights, and people were protected against the risks associated with medicines, because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

We found staff received appropriate professional development and people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment, because accurate and appropriate records were maintained.

However, the provider did not have an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service and others.