We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask;Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service well-led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, talking with four people using the service, the staff supporting them and examining records.
Is the service safe?
The evidence that we saw confirmed that there were systems in place to gain and review consent from people or their advocates; and that their decisions were respected. Where people lacked the capacity to make complex decisions then appropriate others, such as relatives and social and healthcare professionals were involved to ensure people's best interests were considered. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted by Springbank, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff had received training in relation to DoLS, mental capacity and safeguarding.
We looked at how the home managed medicines and our findings confirmed that systems were in place that ensured people received their medicines when they needed them and in a safe way. We found that people benefited from safe care, treatment and support, due to effective management of risks to their health, welfare and safety.
Is the service effective?
People living at Springbank had varying degrees of learning disability and were not all able to communicate their needs verbally. Staff had got to know people well, how they communicated and the things that they liked to do. People's individual health and care needs were assessed and recorded in support plans, which were regularly reviewed to ensure that they were a current reflection of their needs. Staff were appropriately trained and received good support from the management team in order to carry out their role effectively.
People were supported to access the local community and attend social activities. One person was supported to maintain employment. People were able to access the home's communal areas in order to experience a degree of social interaction.
Is the service caring?
We saw that people were relaxed in the company of staff, who appeared respectful and supportive. One person told us ''Yes, it's alright here'' and a visiting healthcare professional had recorded the comment 'The staff really care about the residents.' A relative had written 'Very friendly staff, lovely homely atmosphere.'
One person was receiving end of life care and staff had been trained in a specialised clinical procedure to meet the person's nutritional needs and provide appropriate support. This meant that the person could remain in their home and be cared for by familiar staff who were aware of their needs.
Is the service responsive?
Staff were aware of changes in people's health and welfare and supported them to access health and social care professionals when needed. One visiting therapist had written 'In a recent situation, staff have been brilliant in staying on top of necessary paperwork and liaison with outside professionals.'
Regular audits were carried out in order to monitor the quality of the service provided. We found that action had been taken in response to the findings of these audits, such as providing extra staff training. The home had a complaints policy and procedure, which included an easy read version. Questionnaires were also sent to advocates in order to gain feedback and where one relative had raised a concern, the manager had responded promptly and had resolved the issue.
Is the service well-led?
The home has a full time manager in place who is registered with CQC. Staff members told us that they felt supported by the manager and her deputy. We spoke to staff members and looked at training records and found that appropriate training was provided that enabled staff to provide support to those living in the home.
Annual appraisals and formal supervision sessions were held, although the latter were infrequent; however staff told us that they were able to speak to the manager at any time in order to discuss issues. Regular staff meetings were held and staff told us that they felt they were able discuss issues openly.
Comments received from advocates and visiting professionals indicated that they were happy with the way the home was managed.