Archived: Allenscroft

We set out to answer our five questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People in the home appeared relaxed and comfortable with the care staff who were supporting them. People confirmed they felt safe living at the home and the relatives of two people who lived at the home told us they thought people were safe.

Due to the nature of the service provided, the number of people staying at the home fluctuated, often decreasing in the week and increasing at weekends. We did observe there were some instances when there were inadequate numbers of staff available to meet people's needs. We found that there was no evidence that a full assessment had been completed for the night time staffing arrangements to show that one sleep in member of staff would be sufficient to meet the needs of people should an emergency occur in the home.

We looked at a sample of medicines administration records. Records indicated that people received their medication as prescribed.

Records showed that all the equipment and services such as the gas and fire safety system had been maintained and serviced regularly.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have been made under this legislation for any person living at the home , we found that the manager understood their responsibilities in relation to the law.

Is the service effective?

People told us they liked coming to stay at the home and felt safe there. One person told us, 'I love it here. I go shopping. I play my DVDs on my television in my own room.'

We spoke with the relatives of two people who lived at the home. They told us they were happy with the care provided. One relative told us, 'This is an excellent place. I don't know what we'll do when it closes.'

People were supported in promoting their independence and community involvement. People had opportunities to shop for themselves and participate in everyday living tasks such as cooking, laundry and drink making

Our discussions with staff showed they had a good awareness of people's health conditions and records showed that people were supported to attend the health care checks that they needed to.

Is the service caring?

People who were staying at the home made positive comments about the staff who supported them. One person told us, 'The staff are good to me.'

From observations it was evident that staff took their time when supporting people and did not hurry them. We saw good interactions between people and staff. We saw that staff were friendly and laughing and joking with people as they offered support. We saw that people were supported by staff in a sensitive and respectful way.

Where people had expressed a wish to attend religious services they had been supported by staff to attend. One person told us that their religious needs were respected in regard to their diet and that the menu was adjusted to meet their needs. This showed that people's diversity, values and human rights were respected.

Is the service responsive?

We found that people who used the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about their care and treatment and they were acted on. People who stayed at the home had opportunities to express their views about the service provided. This included their involvement in group meetings, care reviews and service satisfaction surveys. Surveys seen indicated that people were mostly happy with the service. People told us they were able to raise any concerns they had. A relative told us, 'I'm happy to raise any issues with the staff.'

Is the service well-led?

We saw that the home had a staffing structure that enabled the service to be managed appropriately. This included a manager that was registered with us and was responsible for the running of the service.

Records showed that staff meetings were held regularly and that these were an opportunity for staff to discuss care practice issues and any improvements that were needed. A member of staff told us, 'I do feel confident in speaking up so we get the best for people. They [the managers] do take on board our suggestions'It is a well-managed home.'

At this inspection we found that action had been taken so that people who used the service, staff and visitors were protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

Improvements had taken place to some of the monitoring arrangements for health and safety issues. Further improvement was needed to make sure the provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.

We found that care staff had a good understanding of people's needs but that care plans needed improvement to ensure that people continued to experience care and support that met their needs and protected their rights.

People who used the service, staff and visitors had not been protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises.

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

The provider did not have an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people who use the service and others.

Throughout the inspection, we found that staff treated people with respect and supported them in a friendly, engaging manner. People told us they were happy at the home and did not raise any concerns. One person told us, 'It's lovely here.' A relative told us, ''It's a dilapidated building but the care is wonderful, ten stars.''

We found that people were consulted and offered choices about the things they wanted to do. Care plans had information about people's personal preferences and routines but improvements were needed to the way care was planned to ensure people's safety and welfare.

People confirmed they felt safe staying there and that they did not have any complaints. One person told us, 'I would tell the staff if there was something I was not happy about.'

We found that some areas in the home had not been well maintained. The registered manager acknowledged that some redecoration was needed but told us that this had not yet been scheduled.The provider did not have an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.