Archived: Stratheden

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 were cared for in an environment that was safe at the time of our inspection but required improvement. We saw evidence that improvements to the building were being made and that staff had prioritised areas that needed urgent attention.

Staff were able to tell us what constituted abuse and demonstrate that they knew what to do if they suspected abuse was taking place. There were robust policies and procedures in place designed to protect people. The staff worked closely with the local safeguarding authority when they had any concerns about the safety and welfare of the people who used their service.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the care that had been provided at Stratheden and their needs had been met. One person said, "It's ok!" Another said, "They speak to me nicely." It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of people's care and support needs and knew them well.

We looked at people's written records of care and saw examples of them giving their consent. People we spoke with confirmed that they were always consulted with about their care.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and knowledgeable staff. We observed staff helping people to perform day to day tasks in a patient and caring way. We looked at people's written records of care and saw that they were written in a person centred way, in some instances people who used the service had written in their own care plans.

Is the service responsive?

People's needs were assessed by the service and other professionals were part of this assessment. We observed staff communicating with the local community mental health team in order to organise a review of people's care. We spoke with people who used the service who confirmed that that staff knew who to contact and when, one person told us, "They know who to contact when I'm not well."

Is the service well-led?

The manager had a good understanding of the systems and processes around the day to day running of Stratheden. The provider told us that a wider piece of work was being done to further define the function of all the services they provided. People who used the service met regularly with staff to discuss how the service was being run and highlight any improvements that they felt were required. We saw written evidence that confirmed this.

We found that the people who used the service each had an individual plan of care that they had been involved in the care planning process. The staff were aware of what help and support people required and had created a homely welcoming atmosphere within the home. The provider had ensured that staff were able to identify, and deal with, different kinds of abuse. Staff had all received enough essential training to enable them to work with people with mental health and other difficulties. However staff were keen to do more in depth training to help them to be more supportive of people's needs. There was a quality assurance system in place which was being regularly monitored by senior staff. All records were up to date and securely held in the office.

We found that people's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and people experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. Staff had worked hard to ensure that people were cared for in a clean, hygienic environment. People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard and the provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.