16 June 2017
During a routine inspection
We inspected Forest Street on 16 June 2017. The inspection was unannounced.
Forest Street is situated in Kirkby in Ashfield in North Nottinghamshire. The service comprises of a residential home which has been adapted to provide care and support for up to three people who require nursing or personal care. At the time of our inspection two people lived at the service and no one was receiving nursing care.
The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our visit. 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 told us they felt safe at Forest Street and did not have any concerns about the care they received. Staff knew how to protect people from harm and referrals were made to the appropriate authority when concerns were raised.
Risks to people’s safety were identified and managed and assessments carried out to minimise the risk of harm. The building was well maintained and regular safety checks were carried out.
People received care and support in a timely way and there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and experienced staff deployed. Appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out before staff began work at Forest Street.
People managed the administration of their own prescribed medicines and these were stored safely. Procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines safely when they were away from the service.
People received effective care from staff who received training and support to ensure they could meet people’s needs. Ongoing training and assessment for all staff was scheduled to help maintain their knowledge.
People provided consent to any care and treatment provided. Where they did not have capacity to offer informed consent their best interests and rights were protected under the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People’s wishes regarding their care and treatment were respected by staff.
People told us they enjoyed the food offered and we saw they had sufficient quantities of food and drink to help them maintain healthy nutrition and hydration. People had access to healthcare professionals when required and staff followed their guidance to ensure people maintained good health.
People were treated with dignity and respect and their privacy was protected. We observed positive, caring relationships between staff and people using the service. Where possible people were involved in making decisions about their care and daily activities.
Staff understood people’s support needs and ensured they received personalised responsive care. People had the opportunity to take part in enjoyable, constructive activities and maintain family and social relationships. When a complaint or concern was raised this was acted on quickly and investigated thoroughly by the service.
There was an open and transparent culture at the service. People, their relatives and staff were encouraged to have their say on their experience of care and their comments were acted on. Robust quality monitoring systems were in place to identify areas for improvement and ensure these were acted on.