Archived: St Marys

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us and the records we looked at.

Is the service safe?

Staff were knowledgeable in safeguarding vulnerable adults procedures and were able to recognise signs of potential abuse. The service had a system to respond to allegations of abuse and had details of the local safeguarding team.

The service had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards although no applications had needed to be submitted. There was no evidence that mental capacity assessments had been completed.

Staff had attended a number of training sessions such as moving and handling, dementia care and handling medications in the past year.

Is the service effective?

The staff had the skills and experience required to meet the needs of people who used the service. The service undertook assessments with the person who used the service or a relative to identify their support needs. People were asked permission before care and support was provided.

Is the service caring?

People who used the service were involved in decisions about their care and support. Staff supported people and advised them, but allowed the person who used the service to make the final decision. Staff told us, "We always ask if [people who used the service] are happy with what we are about to do."

Is the service responsive?

The service liaised with other health professionals to meet the needs of people who used the service. People's individual needs were assessed and staff were aware of their needs.

Is the service well-led?

The service was using the skills and knowledge of staff members to provide the required service to meet people's needs.

We saw evidence of staff meetings being held regularly, however staff attendance was low.

People were complimentary about the staff. They told us their needs were met and they were well cared for. We spoke with two relatives who told us they were happy with the care provided to their relatives and they had confidence in the leadership of the service.

During our inspection we saw that staff were attentive to people's needs, offered choice with daily routines and sought their agreement before providing any support or assistance.

The staff team told us they received training and support from their manager. They also told us how they worked well as a team.

In the previous inspection, earlier this year, people we spoke with told us that that they were happy with the service they received and that the staff were, "Polite and treated them well." One person described the service as lovely and said, "Everybody is so kind." Another person told us that staff listened to what they had to say and respected their privacy and dignity.