9, 17 February 2012
During a routine inspection
Due to their needs, some people that we met during our visit were unable to share direct views about the standards of care. In order to make judgements about the care that individuals receive, we observed care practices; interactions with staff and tracked three people's records of care. Case tracking means we looked in detail at the care people receive. The reader should that 'PCP' stands for person centred plan. This is a plan of care that is developed with a person using the service or their representative.
Staff were alert to changes in people's mood, behaviour and general wellbeing and knew how they should respond to individual needs. Although staff were familiar with people's needs, they had not received regular training to keep their knowledge and practice up to date.
The home has been without a manager for several months which has had an impact on the service as staff have lacked direction and support. Staff also felt they needed a better understanding of the government standards of quality and safety and the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
We found that there were not enough structured activities within the home to provide interest and stimulation for people.
We saw that the home was in need of extensive redecoration and refurbishment and that people using the service were living in a poorly maintained environment.
The home had failed to share information with us about two safeguarding incidents which did not give assurance that people using the service are as protected as they should be. We will continue to monitor our concerns with Croydon Council and we will check to make sure that improvements have been made.
The lack of management systems do not ensure the efficient and safe running of the home which means the best interests of the people living there are not being taken into account and met. The home needs a registered manager who is qualified, competent and experienced. Under the Health and Social Care Act, the provider of this service is an organisation and subject to a registered manager condition under Regulation 5 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009.The provider is therefore reminded that a failure to comply with a condition of registration may result in prosecution. We have also written to the provider under separate correspondence about the manager's registration.
Please refer to each outcome below and within the main report for more detailed comments about specific aspects of the service.