Archived: ExtraCare Charitable Trust James Beattie House

The inspection took place on 27 May 2016 and was announced.

People told us they felt safe when they were receiving care and while living within their own homes. Staff knew how to keep people safe and what risks people could be subjected to. Staff had received training on what abuse was and the action they needed to take.

People felt there were sufficient staff available and told us staff arrived on time at their flat to provide the care and support they needed. Checks were made on potential staff members prior to them starting work to ensure their suitability.

Staff received training and support to enable them to provide care and support to people. Staff felt supported by the management team and the team leaders. Staff were able to request additional training if needed to increase their knowledge and skills. People had their privacy and dignity maintained and staff were able to describe how they managed this.

People received appropriate support to ensure they received their medicines as prescribed and received healthcare support and advice to ensure their well-being. People received assistance with the preparation of meals and drinks.

People were asked for their permission prior to receiving care and support so people were able to give their consent. Best interest decisions were in place where people were unable to make an informed decision on their own.

People were satisfied with the care they received provided and were supported in a way they wanted to be. People had care plans in place describing their needs and risks associated with their care. These were reviewed in line with people’s changing care needs.

Staff told us they enjoyed their work and liked the management team. People and their relatives were confident any complaints made would be listened to and responded to.

Systems were in place to monitor the service provided for people as a means to improve the quality of care and support people received.

During our inspection we spoke with six people, two relatives, three staff members and the acting manager.

Records showed that people's consent was sought before care and support was delivered. People we spoke with told us that staff always asked them for their input when supporting them. One person told us, 'They knock every time and ask me what I want help with".

We found that people were cared for and supported in a way that met their needs. One person said, 'They do things they don't even have to. If I don't eat, they will come back until I feel like eating". People's care records were detailed and reviewed on a regular basis.

We found that staff were supported appropriately and had different opportunities to improve their skills and experience. Staff we spoke with told us they were able to ask for support at any time. One staff member said, 'The management are really good, you can approach them at any time".

We found that a complaints process was in place for people and their relatives to raise any concerns. Records showed that other processes were in place to seek people's views so that improvements could be made. One person said, 'I cannot complain about anything. They just make me feel so special".

We found that people were involved in making day to day decisions about the care they received. The care people received was reflected in their care plans. One person told us they were, 'treated with great respect and kindness'. Another person said, 'staff go above and beyond to make sure we are clean and cared for'.

The service was a safe place for people to live and people were protected from harm. Some people told us that they trusted the staff. One person told us, 'there isn't a bad one amongst them'. We found that staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding people from abuse and how to report incidents. This meant that staff were able to report any issues affecting people's safety.

We saw that staff were selected using a robust recruitment process and the correct checks were carried out to ensure their suitability to care for people. This meant that the right people, who were committed to the role, were employed.

The service carried out audits which meant that they could be assured of the quality of their service delivery and the safety of equipment and premises. People were involved in decisions about how the home was run.