Archived: Queensdown Road

A registered manager was in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were kept safe from the risk of abuse by well supported staff who felt confident to raise concerns about poor practice. The available risk assessments were detailed and clearly explained how staff could manage potential risks. However, one person did not have a risk assessment relating to smoking as required.

The provider had used a robust recruitment procedure to employ enough suitable staff to meet people’s care needs. The staff developed caring relationships with people using the service.

People were supported to eat and drink enough, obtain treatment from health care professionals and their medicines were well managed.

The provider followed the latest guidance and legal developments about obtaining consent to care. Staff were aware of how to support people to express their views about their care. There was evidence that people were involved in planning their care and were supported to develop their independence through setting individual goals. People were well supported to raise any concerns they held.

There was an open and positive culture at the service and the team expressed they worked well together and could input into the running of the service. There were a range of audits conducted to monitor and improve the service.

We found that each person met regularly with their key worker and notes of the discussions at these meetings were kept. Care plans were being reviewed every three months and people were supported to attend formal Care Programme Approach reviews to assess their treatment in the community.

People using the service met every week to choose the following week's menu. Menus were on display on a notice board and we were told by staff that they cook each evening meal with people using the service.

All prescribed medicines were available at the home on the day of our inspection visit. We found no gaps in the recording of when medicines are given to people.

We were told there were currently no permanent staff vacancies. We looked at the staff rota's for the six months prior to our inspection. We found that the permanent staff team covered most of the shifts with only occasional use of relief staff being required.

People told us they liked living at 4 Queensdown Road and that staff treated them with dignity and respect. People who use the service understood the care and treatment choices available to them. They told us staff often explained and offered choices.. One person told us, "they talk a lot to you."

People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. People told us the quality of care provided in the home was " very good." One person told us, "the place is very restful and I like it." Another person commented, "everything is alright. Staff look after me very well."

People who use the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.