Archived: Cascade 3 - Linthorpe Road

As part of this inspection we spoke with the five people who lived at the home and three members of staff as well as a visitor to the home on the day of our inspection. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the home, which included three care plans, daily care records, records about staff training and supervision and about how the home monitors its own performance and the quality of care.

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service and staff told us, what we observed during the visit and what we saw in the records we looked at.

Is the service safe?

Staff understood the risks involved in providing support for people and there was clear information to enable them to manage these risks. The provision of support reflected the varying needs of people living at the home. Clear plans were in place for dealing with other foreseeable emergencies. Staff knew how to protect people from the risk of abuse.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Whilst no application had needed to be submitted to relevant authorities, there was full documentation available about people whose movements in the community were restricted by Community Treatment Orders.

Is the service effective?

People looked very well looked after. The people we spoke with said they were happy living at the home and that being there was helping them. One person said 'it's good. I am happy here.' Another person told us 'They help you with things like getting your freedom pass and with money.' The care plans we looked at showed that support was provided in line with people's assessed needs. Care was reviewed regularly involving external agencies and people themselves in these reviews.

Is the service caring?

We saw that the staff cared about the people they supported and treated them with courtesy and respect. One member of staff told us how they found working with people at the home worthwhile because they could see the impact of the care on the wellbeing of people using the service. It was clear that people felt comfortable with the staff on duty on the day of our visit. They spent time in communal areas and sought out contact with staff.

Is the service responsive?

We saw from the files that goals had been set towards helping people work to maintain their physical and mental health and where possible to achieve greater independence. We saw that care and support plans were modified when people's needs changed. We saw that staff listened to people's concerns and wishes and facilitated these as much as possible.

Is the service well lead?

The registered manager had left the organisation at the end of May. We were told that CQC had been informed of this change. The new manager was yet to take up post. At the time of our inspection the service was led by a deputy manager acting up in the interim period between managers. We saw that staff received proper training and support and there was a strong focus on supporting staff to further develop their skills and experience.

People's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Individual plans clearly set out people's needs and how to meet them. The service worked closely with a range of other professionals to provide support to people who lived in the home. The provider had a robust system to check that people were suitable for their positions before they were recruited. People who use the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about their care and treatment and these were acted on.