Kilkenny House is registered to provide support for older people who require personal care and support in their own homes to enable them to retain their independence. The service is provided within an extra sheltered housing scheme and people receive domiciliary care support from care assistants based at the service. It is registered for up to 49 people. On the day of our visit, there were 34 people receiving care and support.
The inspection was announced and took place on 14 October 2015.
The service had a registered manager. 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.
People felt safe and were protected from abuse by staff that had a good understanding of how to identify abuse, and knew how to respond appropriately to any concerns to keep people safe.
Specific and general risks to people’s safety had been assessed and were detailed clearly within their care plans. Staff used these to assist people to remain as independent as possible.
There were sufficient staff members on duty to support people with their required care needs. Staff had been recruited using a robust recruitment process.
Safe systems and processes were in place to ensure that medicines were handled, administered and disposed of safely.
New staff received a robust induction to the service to help them prepare for their role and responsibilities. Staff were also provided with a variety of training, based upon people’s needs, to help them to carry out their roles effectively. They had regular supervision meetings with their manager and annual appraisals to support them to meet people’s needs.
Policies and procedures were in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure that people who could not make decisions for themselves were protected.
People’s dietary requirements had been assessed. They were supported to make menu choices and encouraged to be independent in meal preparation if this was appropriate.
Prompt action was taken in response to illness or changes in people’s physical and mental health. When required, staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments, if they could not be supported by relatives.
Staff treated people courteously, with kindness and compassion. They provided care and support based upon assessed needs. Staff had a good awareness of people’s preferences and worked with them to ensure that effective care was provided.
People were supported to take part in meaningful activities within the sheltered housing scheme. Staff undertook baking and arts and crafts and also provided an on-site shop for people to use.
People knew how to make a complaint if they needed to, and were confident that the service would listen to them. The registered manager investigated and responded to people’s complaints in accordance with the provider’s complaints procedure.
The registered manager, operational manager and senior staff consistently monitored and reviewed the quality of care people received. The service encouraged feedback from people and their representatives. This was then used to identify, plan and make improvements to the service.