The Care Quality Commission
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  • Care home

Archived: The Saplings

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Wiltons Orchard, Fons George, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3SA (01823) 324832

Provided and run by:
Somerset County Council - Specialist Public Health Nursing

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

8 September 2015

During a routine inspection

This inspection took place on 8 September 2015 and was an unannounced inspection.

The Saplings is a purpose built property which can accommodate up to seven people. The home specialises in providing care and support to adults who have a learning disability, autism and/or a physical disability. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and the home is staffed 24 hours a day.

The people who lived at The Saplings were unable to tell us about their experiences of life at the home so we used our observations of care and our discussions with staff to help form our judgements.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

Staff supported people to develop and maintain independent living skills. Risk assessments detailed the potential risks and provided information about how to support the individual to make sure risks were minimised.

People were comfortable with the staff who supported them. The atmosphere in the home was very relaxed and staff interacted with people in a kind and respectful manner.

Staffing levels were good and people received good support from health and social care professionals. Staff were confident and competent when assisting and interacting with people and it was evident staff knew people well.

People were unable to look after their own medicines. Staff made sure medicines were stored securely and there were sufficient supplies of medicines. People received their medicines when they needed them.

People were supported to eat well in accordance with their preferences and needs. There was a varied menu which had been developed with the people who lived at the home.

Routines in the home were flexible and were based around the needs and preferences of the people who lived there. People were able to plan their day with staff and they were supported to access social and leisure activities in the home and local community.

The provider made sure staff completed appropriate training so they could meet the needs of the people they supported. The knowledge, skills and competency of staff were regularly monitored through supervisions and observation of their practice. Staff told us they felt well supported and received the training they needed.

There were systems in place to monitor health and safety and the quality of the service provided to people.

29 November 2013

During a routine inspection

The majority of people who lived in the home had limited verbal communication. Various forms of communication were seen to be used by the staff including pictorial and visual prompts, simple sign language, and simplified speech. When asked if they were happy at the home one person we spoke with said yes. One person we spoke to used body language, nodding, and pointing to confirm their decisions and choices. We also spoke with the manager, deputy manager, three permanent members of staff, and two agency staff.

There were many photos displayed around the home showing activities and outings, and one person we spoke to confirmed that they had enjoyed these events. We also spoke on the telephone with a relative of someone who lived there. They told us they 'considered the care absolutely fantastic' and that they tell people that 'money couldn't buy better'. They added 'The care workers are tolerant, patient, courteous and kind' and confirmed they felt confident in being able to speak with the manager if there were any problems.

People's care records were comprehensive and specialist eating and drinking risk assessments and support plans had been done by the speech and language therapist, for all of the people who lived there. Although some staff had only worked at the home for a short time, we saw them communicating effectively as part of a team to meet the needs of the people who lived there. Staff training was comprehensive, and despite some recent significant staff changes and on ' going vacancies, we saw that the continuity of staff numbers was maintained through the use of agency and bank staff on the rota's.

4 February 2013

During a routine inspection

The majority of people who lived in the home had limited verbal communication, we were able to speak with two people. When asked if they were involved in decisions about their daily life choices, two people we spoke with said yes. One person showed us a photo album of activities and outings they had enjoyed and had chosen to do. We also spoke on the telephone with a relative of someone who lived at the home. They told us 'The home always keep us informed of changes, they phone us regularly and keep us involved'. They added 'The home listens to what we say, for example, my relative loves music and the home have ensured it's incorporated into their life'.

We observed observed how staff involved people in making decisions and how they offered choices, we also spoke with one relative, four members of staff, a massage therapist and the manager of the home.

People's care records covered all areas of need and risk, for example, 'living my life plan', risk assessments, communication plans, personal care, hospital admission passport, mobility and eating and drinking.

There was a clear staffing structure in the home with clear lines of accountability and responsibility. Staff were trained well and felt supported by the manager.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of care and ensure the safety of people

who lived at the home. These included regular audits of the service and clear risk assessments for people who lived in the home and the environment.

6 December 2011

During a routine inspection

Given the limited or non-verbal communication of people using the service, we spent the majority of our visit in communal areas observing how people were involved in making decisions about their day to day life and how they were offered choices.

People appeared very comfortable in the presence of staff and it was evident that staff knew people well. They were skilled in recognising and responding to people's needs even though people were unable to make their needs known verbally. During our visit we observed people with limited or no verbal communication, using pictures and photographs to make their choices known to staff. Interactions were noted to be kind and respectful. The atmosphere in the home was relaxed and inclusive and people were offered assistance with personal care in a dignified and discreet manner.

Staff explained all interventions to people before carrying them out and we saw that staff respected people's decision to refuse or to change their mind. People who were unable to mobilise without staff assistance were offered choices about where they wanted to spend time.