Archived: The Poplars

The inspection was announced because we wanted to ensure people were available to speak with us about their care.

The Poplars is registered to provide care and support for up to six people with different health needs including a learning disability. There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Staff were suitably deployed to meet the needs of each person. Healthcare professionals and people told us they were satisfied with the number of staff working during each shift.

Staff understood the needs of people and care was provided with kindness and compassion. People and healthcare professionals told us they were happy with the care.

Staff were appropriately trained and skilled and provided care in a safe environment. They all received a thorough induction when they started work and fully understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values and philosophy of the home. They completed extensive training to ensure the care delivered to people was safe and effective.

The provider had employed skilled staff and took steps to make sure interventions applied were least restrictive and in line with best practice. Healthcare professionals told us they were kept informed when incidents or accidents had occurred.

The registered manager and the deputy manager assessed and monitored the quality of care consistently involving people, relatives and professionals. Each person told us they were asked for feedback and encouraged to voice their opinions about the quality of care provided.

There was a culture of respect, kindness and loyalty in the service. Interaction between staff and people was friendly and encouraging. People we spoke with consistently told us they had frequent opportunity to express their views with staff and management. Professionals consistently told us the leadership in the home was good and always displayed strong values when they visited people.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. These safeguards protect the rights of people using services by ensuring that if there are any restrictions to their freedom and liberty, these have been authorised by the local authority as being required to protect the person from harm. Applications were in the process of being submitted to the local authority.

Records showed referrals to health care professionals were made quickly when people became unwell. Each health care professional told us the staff were responsive to people’s changing health needs.

Care plans were reviewed regularly and people’s support was personalised and tailored to their individual needs.

The provider had effective systems in place to support people with their medicines safely. Records showed medicines that were no longer needed were disposed of correctly.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. One person told us that they "Feel fine living here".

People who use the service were protected from the risk of abuse from happening, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. People we spoke with told us that they felt safe at the home and that they would speak to a member of staff if they had any concerns

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard. One staff member told us they "Love working here. This is my haven here".

There was an effective complaints system available. Comments and complaints people made were responded to appropriately.

All assessments and care plans we looked at were detailed, covered an appropriate range of needs including social activities, health and personal care information.

People who use the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about their care and treatment and they were acted on. We looked at the care records of four people who used the service. We saw that people had regular reviews and that people and family members had the opportunity to express their views concerning their care and support.

Care staff understood the meaning of safeguarding. They told us that safeguarding is about protecting people from abuse and ensuring that people are safe. They knew about the different types of abuse and how to identify it. Staff told us that they would follow the provider's safeguarding procedure.

Staff received appropriate professional development. The care staff we spoke with told us that they attended an appropriate range of training courses which were relevant to people's needs in the home. We saw training records that reflected this.