Archived: The Denby at Denby Dale

At our last inspection we rated the service overall as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the overall rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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

At the time of our inspection the home had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People felt safe living at this home and staff knew how to identify and report abuse as they had received safeguarding training. Safe recruitment procedures were in place to ensure staff were suitable to provide care for vulnerable people. Risks to people had been assessed, monitored and reviewed which enabled risks to be reduced, where possible.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. People told us their needs were met and staff didn’t forget them if they requested assistance whilst staff were supporting other people. People consistently told us how pleased they were with the assistance from staff who provided their care. We saw warm interactions between staff and people which were kind and respectful.

The privacy and dignity of people was maintained and we saw examples of this during our inspection. People’s equality, diversity and human rights were upheld by staff. Religious events took place in the home which enabled people to maintain their beliefs. End of life care needs were being met.

The activities provision was well received as this was varied and staff included people who stayed in their room. Trips into the community were taking place every week and links had been formed with local businesses and other partners.

The registered manager was approachable and well liked. They provided strong leadership in the home and where governance systems identified aspects of the service which could be improved, they took appropriate action. People were consulted through meetings, surveys and other feedback and we found their views were acted on. The registered manager provided examples of where systems had changed as a result of lessons learned.

Care plans contained sufficient information for staff to provide effective care. The registered manager actively involved people and their relatives in care reviews. Complaints were fully investigated and responded to in writing.

Staff receiving ongoing support through induction, training and supervision. Staff felt able to raise concerns through supervision and at staff meetings which demonstrated these were two-way discussions.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Records showed people received assistance to access a range of healthcare professionals. People were supported to maintain a healthy diet and specific dietary needs were being met. The storage, administration and disposal of medicines was found to be safe as staff had received training for this and had been assessed as competent.

The Denby provides care for up to a maximum of 47 older people. The home is purpose built and has bedrooms and communal space over three floors. The home stands in its own grounds with a garden seating area. On the days of our inspection 33 people were living at the home.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People who lived at the home and the relatives we spoke with all said they felt they or their family member was safe living at The Denby. Staff understood their responsibility in keeping people safe from the risk of harm or abuse.

There were risk assessments in each of the care plans we reviewed. Where people’s needs had changed, their risk assessment had been updated to reflect this change.

There were systems in place to reduce the risk of employing unsuitable staff. No one we spoke with raised any concerns regarding the number of staff on duty at the home.

Medicines were administered safely by staff who had relevant knowledge and skills.

New staff were supported in their role and there was an on-going programme of training and supervision for staff. Staff had received training in The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and understood their role in enabling people to make choices and decisions about their lives.

People had access to food and drink throughout the day and were offered a choice of meals and hot or cold drinks. People we spoke with gave positive feedback about meals provided at the home.

People told us they were well cared for and happy. We found the atmosphere in the home was warm and friendly. Interactions between staff and people who lived at the home were kind and inclusive.

People were able to make choices, for example, where they spent their time and what they had to eat and drink.

Staff respected people’s privacy, dignity and independence. Staff knocked on bedroom doors prior to entering and they told us how they ensured privacy prior to supporting people with personal care.

The home employed an activities co-ordinator and there was a programme of daily activities for people.

People had a care plan which reflected their needs, this was updated and reviewed regularly.

Two relatives we spoke with told us they had raised concerns with the registered manager, they said the matter had been dealt with promptly.

Staff talked proudly of the service they provided for people and said they felt supported by the registered manager and their colleagues. There was a robust system in place to continually assess and monitor the safety and quality of the service provided.