The inspection took place on 10 and 16 August 2018 and the first day was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.At our last inspection in October 2016 we found two breaches of regulations relating to the safe management of medicines and a lack of robust audit procedures. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service was now meeting these requirements.
Oakview is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Oakview is a residential care home in the Gatley area of Stockport and can accommodate 12 people. The home has a communal lounge overlooking the enclosed rear garden and a dining room. There are four bedrooms on the ground floor and six bedrooms on the first floor. Two of the bedrooms can accommodate two people.
People told us they felt safe living in the home and staff demonstrated they understood how to keep people safe and how they should report any concerns about people living in the home.
Risks to people were assessed and their care records explained how people needed to be supported in order for them to do the things they wanted, in the way they wanted, in the safest way possible.
Staff had time to spend with people living in the home and supported them in an unhurried way. Rotas confirmed the staffing levels we observed were normal for the home.
Medicines were stored safely and people were supported appropriately to ensure they received them as they had been prescribed. Documentation was audited regularly to ensure people were receiving their medicines safely.
People’s needs were assessed and detailed care plans were in place explaining about people’s needs and choices. This enabled staff to support people in the way the person preferred.
Staff told us they felt very supported by the management in the home and had regular training and supervisions. Records we looked at confirmed that regular training and supervisions took place.
Meals were cooked freshly in the home’s kitchen and people told us they enjoyed the food. A variety of food was available for people to suit their cultural preferences.
Visiting healthcare professionals spoke highly of the home and told us staff in the home worked closely with them to ensure people living there were cared for well. Professionals visiting the home were encouraged to make suggestions to improve the care people received.
People living in the home were involved in choosing the décor and had recently chosen new wallpaper, carpets and curtains for the lounge. People were encouraged to personalise their bedrooms.
Consent was always sought from people before they were supported and where people lacked the capacity to give consent, procedures were in place to ensure they were supported in line with their best interests. People were encouraged to make choices about their care and we saw their choices were respected by staff.
People living in the home knew the staff well and told us they supported them in a very caring and compassionate way. Staff were very good at treating people as individuals and we observed staff supporting people in different ways according to the person’s preferences.
A range of activities were available for people to take part in within the home, in the local community and in other homes owned by the provider.
People told us they hadn’t needed to complain but if they did have any concerns they could speak to any member of staff and were confident their concerns would be listened to and addressed.
The home had a registered manager in post. The 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.
People told us the management team were very approachable and encouraged them to make suggestions to improve the home and their suggestions were acted on.