We were able to speak to all five of the people living in the home and they were happy with the care and support that they were getting particularly from the staff. Comments included, 'staff are great' and 'I like the staff.'
The provider was unable to give us access to the staffing records on our visit to the home on the 31st August; we therefore did a second visit on the 6th September 2012 when our inspection was completed.
Following our previous visit in July 2011, we had issued a formal warning to the provider K Kailasanathan to become compliant with Regulation 23(1) (a) of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 by the 9th September 2011.
This Regulation states that suitable arrangements must be in place for staff to receive appropriate training in order to deliver care and treatment to people safely. The reason that appropriate training is so important is because all staff need to provide consistent and safe care to each person using the service.
We were satisfied that the provider has now complied with this Regulation. Appropriate training has been provided to staff around important areas such as safeguarding, fire safety, infection control and manual handling. Arrangements are now in place for training to be provided to staff on an ongoing basis and the onus is now on the provider to ensure that these continue.
One person who uses the service who told us that the service was 'not bad' and 'reasonable'. They said they were 'reasonably happy' with the care and support they were receiving although felt that night staff sometimes wanted them to retire to their bedroom early.
Comments from people who use the service about the food included 'it's alright' and 'not bad'. One person told us that you 'get what you're given' and they did not think much of the food provided.
We saw some good interaction between staff and the people living at the home. Some staff have been working at the service for a long time and know the people who live there well. We observed one staff member chatting with one person about the news and what was happening that day.
Comments included 'anything you want done, they do it for you'', 'very good' and 'they look after me too good'. Feedback about staff included 'polite - of course they are', 'they treat me well' and 'the carers are good - always helpful'.
We saw some good interaction between staff and the people living at the home. Some staff members have worked at the home for a number of years and clearly know individuals very well.
Feedback about the meals provided included 'I eat everything - it can't be too bad', 'it's usually alright' and 'it's alright'.
The people we spoke to said they were able to have something different if they did not like what was being served but said that they were not actively involved with choosing the menus. Comments included 'it's put in front of me', 'sometimes you can choose' and 'I don't always know what's for lunch'.