Background to this inspection
Updated
9 November 2016
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 18 October 2016 and was unannounced. One inspector carried out the inspection.
Before the inspection we checked the information that we held about the service and the service provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We used all this information to decide which areas to focus on during our inspection.
During our inspection we observed how staff interacted with people who used the service and supported them in the communal areas of the home. We looked at care plans, risk assessments, incident records and medicines records for two people. We looked at training and recruitment records for two members of staff. We also looked at a range of records relating to the management of the service such as complaints, records, quality audits and policies and procedures.
We spoke with two people to ask them their views of the service provided. We also spoke to the registered manager, the deputy manager and one member of staff.
The last inspection was carried out in May 2014 and was compliant in all outcomes inspected.
Updated
9 November 2016
The You Trust 29 Shaftsbury Road is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to eight people living with mental health needs who are under the age of 65. Nursing care is not provided. At the time of our inspection there were six people living at the home. The home is a large four storey property situated in Portsmouth. Each person has their own individual bedroom and there is a communal lounge/dining room, kitchen and enclosed rear garden.
The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People felt safe with the home’s staff. People had no concerns about their safety. There were policies and procedures regarding the safeguarding of adults and staff knew what action to take if they thought anyone was at risk of potential harm. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and care records contained risk assessments to manage identified risks.
People were supported to take their medicines as directed by their GP. Records showed that there were appropriate arrangements for obtaining, storing and disposing of medicines.
Thorough recruitment processes were in place for newly appointed staff to check they were suitable to work with people. Staffing numbers were maintained at a level to meet people’s needs safely. People and staff told us there were enough staff on duty and observations also confirmed this.
Food at the home was well managed. Each person had their own food budget and prepared their own meals. Staff provided support to people as required to help ensure meals were balanced and encouraged healthy choices.
Staff were aware of people’s health needs and knew how to respond if they observed a change in their well-being. Staff were kept up to date about people in their care by attending regular handover meetings at the beginning of each shift. The home was well supported by a range of health care professionals.
The CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The registered manager understood when an application should be made and how to submit one. The provider had suitable arrangements in place to establish, and act in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005
Each person had a care plan which informed staff of the support people needed. Staff received training to help them meet people’s needs. Staff received an induction and there was regular supervision including monitoring of staff performance. Staff were supported to develop their skills by means of additional training such as the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or care diplomas. These are work based awards that are achieved through assessment and training. To achieve these awards candidates must prove that they have the ability to carry out their job to the required standard. All staff completed an induction before working unsupervised. People said they were well supported and said staff were knowledgeable about their care needs.
People’s privacy and dignity was respected. Staff had a caring attitude towards people. We observed staff smiling and laughing with people and offering support. There was a good rapport between people and staff.
The registered manager operated an open door policy and welcomed feedback on any aspect of the service. There was a low turn over of staff and staff said that communication in the home was good and they always felt able to make suggestions. They confirmed management were open and approachable.
There was a clear complaints policy and people knew how to make a complaint if necessary.
The provider had a policy and procedure for quality assurance. The registered manager and her deputy worked alongside staff and this enabled them to monitor staff performance. The registered manager’s head of department visited the home regularly to monitor service delivery.
Weekly and monthly checks were carried out to monitor the quality of the service provided. There were regular staff meetings and feedback was sought on the quality of the service provided.
People and staff were able to influence the running of the service and make comments and suggestions about any changes. Regular one to one meetings with staff and people took place. These meetings enabled the registered manager and provider to monitor if people’s needs were being met.