Archived: 24 St Marks Road

We attended a scheduled staff meeting and a meeting between the deputy manager and key workers. We spoke with two relatives and a staff training professional who was visiting the home. We also spent time speaking to the manager, deputy manager and two care staff.

We saw that people responded positively to the support provided. We noted staff communicating effectively to encourage choice and involvement in activities. We saw that people's privacy and dignity was respected by the offer of discrete person to person support and personal care.

Care records we looked at included care plans and risk assessments that were reviewed and adapted to meet people's changing needs. The relatives we spoke with told as that they were involved in planning care and were consulted in relation to important decisions which people could not make for themselves because they had been assessed as lacking capacity. Relatives told us that they trusted staff and valued the care they provide. One person told us that they were 'Very very happy indeed.' Another commended the 'Excellent staff and quality of care.'

We saw records which showed staff were appropriately recruited and trained to do their jobs and that the provider encouraged staff development and achievement.

We noted safe and well organised medication management and administration practices. We found records management systems were reviewed and evaluated by the provider to ensure that care was effectively delivered and people's confidentiality valued.

The relationship between staff and the people using the service was positive and it was evident that people felt comfortable with the support they received.

Relatives said they were happy with the service provided. One relative told us. ' they ring me if there are any problems and I ring to check everything is ok, so far I am very impressed with the support my relative receives, I can't fault the staff I think they are all marvellous.'

People's records were generally well detailed in their individual care plan and assessments. However it was not clear if all of the information we saw was relevant, as not all records were dated to show that they were up to date.

Staff training records demonstrated that staff were provided with all areas of mandatory training. The records seen confirmed that updates were provided as required. Additional training that was specific to the needs of the people using the service was also provided to staff such as epilepsy management and supporting people with autism.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the care and services provided, and to identify and manage risks to ensure the service was run safely.