The Glade Residential Care Home

Updated 7 December 2018

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 comprehensive inspection took place on 29 and 31 October 2018 and was unannounced on the first day. The inspection was conducted by an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we checked the information we held about both the service and the service provider. We looked at any statutory notifications received and reviewed any other information we held prior to visiting. A statutory notification is information about significant events which the service is required to send us by law. A Provider Information Return (PIR) was also submitted and reviewed prior to the inspection. This is the form that asks the provider to give some key information in relation to the service, what the service does well and what improvements need to be made. We also invited the local authority commissioners to provide us with any information they held about the service. We used all this information to plan how the inspection should be conducted.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the provider, a senior carer, two members of care staff, the chef, four people who lived at the service, a visiting professional and one relative. We also spoke to three relatives on the telephone.

We looked at care records belonging to four of the people living at the service, four staff recruitment files, a sample of medication administration records, policies and procedures and other documents relevant to the management of the service. We also observed the delivery of care at various points during the inspection and made observations around the service.

Updated 7 December 2018

This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 29 and 31 October 2018. The last inspection was in May 2016 when the service was rated as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The Glade is a ‘care home’. People in ‘care homes’ receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

The Glade is a residential care service which offers support for up to 25 older adults. It is a converted Edwardian residential property set over four floors. A passenger lift provides access to all areas of the building. Accommodation comprises of bedrooms which have a wash basin facility and a small proportion of bedrooms have an en-suite. There is a dining area situated on the ground floor and a spacious lounge which overlooks a large enclosed garden. The property is both decorated and furnished to a high standard. The service is conveniently situated near to bus routes and local amenities. At the time our inspection there were 19 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with 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 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

Staff had received training in safeguarding and were knowledgeable in both how to identify and how to report abuse. We found that staff’s suitability to work with vulnerable adults at the service had been checked prior to employment. For instance, previous employer references had been sought and a criminal conviction check undertaken. People told us staff were caring and kind.

Staff had received training which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to ensure people received adequate support. The majority of staff had completed National Vocation Qualifications (NVQs). NVQs are nationally recognised qualifications achieved through training and assessment which help to ensure that staff are competent to carry out their job role to the required standard.

Medication was managed safely and was administered by staff who were competent to do so.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for checking the environment was safe. For example, health and safety checks and audits were completed on a regular basis and accidents and incidents were reported and recorded appropriately. People told us they felt safe living at The Glade.

Staff sought consent from people before providing support. Staff we spoke with understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure people consented to the care they received. The MCA is legislation which protects the rights of people to make their own decisions.

People were involved in their care and there was evidence in their care records to show that they had been consulted about decisions. Care records contained detailed information to identify people’s requirements, preferences and routines in relation to their care and support.

Appropriate risk assessments were carried out and recorded which helped to keep people safe. People were referred to external health professionals appropriately, this helped to promote people's well-being. People told us they were supported by staff to attend health appointments.

There was no set daily routine at the service and people told us they had a choice in what activities they participated in each day. The service had its own mini bus and people enjoyed weekly trips out.

Effective quality assurance processes were in place to seek the views of people using the service and their relatives.

Feedback about the management of the service was positive. People told us the service was well run and that management were approachable and supportive.