16 December 2014, 19 December 2014
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on the16 and 19 December 2014 and was unannounced.
The home 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The homes registered manager was the person responsible for maintain contact with the people placing authority care mangers and ensuring their contracted care was provided. Care managers are the placing authority’s representatives who are responsible for assessing the needs, reassessing and managing any care package and ensuring the continuing wellbeing of the people they place.
Green Acres provides accommodation and support for up to six people with learning disabilities. Some people may also have multiple and complex needs. For example both a learning disability and a physical disability or limited speech or autistic.
The provider had systems in place to make sure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. People appeared to be comfortable with each other and approached staff readily.
Assessments were undertaken to identify people’s health and support needs and any risks to people. Plans were in place to reduce the risks identified in assessments.
People were supported by enough suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.
People were provided with a choice of healthy food and drink to make sure their nutritional needs were met. At mealtimes people ate well and were content with their choices.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. These safeguards protect the rights of people by ensuring if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty these have been authorised by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. We found the home to be meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
People were supported in a way that promoted their dignity by being spoken to kindly and were given choices. Staff were caring in their approach to people, giving them attention and not rushing them with support. Staff appeared to know people well and clearly understood their individual needs and preferences.
People who lived at the home said hello or greeted us with a wave or a thumbs up. We saw people smiling and happy during an activity and one person told us they were enjoying their activities and told us about some they had enjoyed.
Care plans were developed with people to identify how they wished to be supported and goals they wanted to achieve.
Observations of interactions between the Manager and staff showed they were inclusive and positive and promoted a transparent culture where the people came first. Staff told us they liked working at Green Acres and felt supported in their work and to access training. Staff told us they felt comfortable raising concerns with them or to suggest ideas for improvement and found them to be responsive in dealing with any concerns raised.
There was a complaints process available. Relatives and care professional we spoke with all said they never had any formal complaints but they would not hesitate to speak with the provider if they felt the need to complain. Health professionals we spoke to told us that the manager and staff communicated well with them and would take prompt action where needed so they never had the need to make a complaint.
The provider analysed and acted no information acquired from quality assurance questioners.