30 October 2017
During a routine inspection
The home is located on the outskirts of York city centre, in a residential area, with good access to the city`s services and amenities. There is parking available to the front of the home and an enclosed garden at the back of the property.
At the last inspection in September 2015 the home was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the home remained ‘Good’.
Relatives had expressed that they wanted to meet every three months, this had not been implemented during our visit. One health professional felt that partnership working including communication could be improved by the home.
The registered manager had quality assurance systems and audits in place. We found that the maintenance audits and health and safety checks had identified work that needed to be completed, but no follow up actions had been noted.
The registered manager told us they would commence three monthly relatives meetings in 2018 and make plans to improve their partnership working with external agencies such as the local authority.
In view of the above information we recommended that the registered manager reviews record keeping to ensure all actions identified in audits or any other checks are fully completed and recorded.
The registered manager had systems in place to record and monitor safeguarding concerns and accidents and incidents; they had taken appropriate action when required.
Recruitment processes ensured appropriate checks were completed so that suitable people were employed to work with people accessing short breaks at the home. People living at the home were supported to ask their own questions during interviews and their feedback was taken into account when making recruitment decisions.
The registered manager and staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This meant that they were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the home support this practice.
Risk assessments minimised the potential risk of harm to people living at the home. These were reviewed every six months or sooner if there were any significant changes to people’s needs.
Care plans included information that was important to people, such as their likes, dislikes and preferences. Staff had knowledge of promoting dignity and respecting people’s choices. They knew the importance of gaining people’s consent and involving appropriate health professionals, family members or representatives should a best interests meeting need to be organised to reach decisions.
Staff had received training to administer medicines safely and these were stored appropriately.
We were unable to observe meal times as the residents were attending day centres where they had their meals. One person had eaten breakfast at the home in the morning prior to our arrival. The registered manager told us that people had food and drinks available in the kitchen should they need it and staff supported them with preparation and cooking to promote their independence.
The registered manager told us that activities were led by the people living at the home. They told us they accessed a local park and Museums in the City of York.
Relatives and representatives told us they knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. The complaints procedure was available and on display during our inspection.
We could see that people’s health care needs had been met whilst at the home and any concerns about people’s well-being were immediately reported and appropriate advice sought. Staff involved relatives or representatives of people living at the home and communicated information to them.
The registered manager had been in post since July 2016 and had been working alongside the local authority to improve service delivery. Part of the improvements that had been completed were to update all care plans so that information was current and reflective of people’s needs. The registered manager had completed regular internal audits of the home, held staff and relatives meetings and distributed survey questionnaires to seek the views of those that used the home.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.