Archived: Avoca

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

We spent time in communal areas during our inspection. We saw people living in the care home were treated with dignity and respect by staff members. All staff had completed safeguarding training and understood how to keep people safe.

We had a look around the care home both inside and outside and found it to be clean, safe and hygienic. All equipment including all electrical appliances were serviced regularly. This meant all people in the care home were not put at any unnecessary risk.

Recruitment process were thorough and the provider had completed all the required checks before people were allowed to start work in the care home. Policies and procedures were in place which helped ensure unsafe practice was identified and people kept safe.

Staff members had received training related to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) The provider told us no applications for DoLS had been submitted. We were also told staff were aware of when an application should be made and the procedure for doing so.

Is the service effective?

We were told an advocate visited the care home every month. This meant that when necessary, additional support could be accessed by people living in the care home.

People`s individual needs and wishes had been assessed, and where possible, they were involved in the care planning process. People we spoke with told us they had regular meetings and were able to talk about any concerns they had.

Is the service caring?

All staff interacted with people in a patient manner. People told us, "The staff look after us all very well." Staff encouraged people to be independent and involved them in activities around the care home as much as possible.

People`s interests and likes and dislikes had been recorded within their individual care plans. Care and support was provided by staff in line with their expressed wishes.

Is the service responsive?

People told us that if they had any concerns they could talk to any member of staff. The provider had a complaints procedure in place and a copy was left in each person`s room. We looked at the last complaint and saw it had been responded to appropriately within an acceptable time frame.

Is the service well-led?

The provider told us they had a good relationship with other agencies, for example surgeries and pharmacies. A quality assurance system was in place at the care home which included both internal and external audits.

Monthly house meetings were held for staff and people living in the care home. We were told, and saw in records, that any concerns or issues were responded to appropriately.

The people living at Avoca told us that they had received the support they had needed in all areas of their everyday lives including health and personal care and with their everyday living skills. We found that staff had a good knowledge of people's individual needs and choices and were meeting these.

People had been regularly consulted about the support they had received and supported to make decisions for themselves. One person told us, 'You can do what you want, when you want.'

We found the home clean and tidy and that good systems were in place for maintaining hygiene standards and minimising the risks of cross infection.

There were sufficient staff working at Avoca to meet the needs of the people living there. Staff had received the training they had needed to support people with their care and welfare.

Systems were in place for supporting people to raise any concerns or complaints that they may have had. The people living there told us that they would have felt confident to raise concerns with staff if needed.