Background to this inspection
Updated
15 February 2017
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 16 November 2016 and was unannounced.
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they planned to make. We reviewed the information we held about the service and contacted the local authority contract monitoring team.
We spoke to the deputy manager, four people who lived in the home, two care staff, cleaner and a relative.
We reviewed records relating to the management of the service including policies and procedures and quality assurance documentation including monthly audits and health and safety checks. We also looked at staff rotas, training records, supervisions, appraisals and three staff recruitment files.
Updated
15 February 2017
The inspection took place on the 16 November 2016 and was unannounced. This was the service’s first inspection and there were no previous breaches of the regulations.
The service provides 24 hour accommodation and support to nine people with mental health needs. People had individual bedrooms with a sink, bathroom facilities were shared.
The service 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.
The registered manger had training on the day of the inspection, we were fully supported on the inspection by the deputy manager.
People said they felt safe at the service. Staff kept people safe by observing them while in the service and in the community. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to mitigate risks faced by people. Staff knew how to escalate potential abuse within the service or to outside agencies.
Medicines procedures were followed by staff and medicines were handled safely. All staff demonstrated safe practices when administering and recording medicines.
People were supported by staff that had been recruited safely as relevant checks had been completed before staff worked at the service.
People made choices about how they wanted to be cared for and staff listened to them which meant care was personalised.
Staff received regular training and support at the service and could approach management if they had further queries or concerns.
People were not restricted in their movements in the service or within the community. Where people needed support to travel to unfamiliar areas staff would accompany them. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and they helped people to make decisions and sought people’s consent.
Food was prepared by staff and people could prepare meals with staff support. People enjoyed the food offered and were also able to choose alternatives if they wanted. People were encouraged to maintain a healthy diet and weight and staff listened to the guidance provided by health professionals.
People were cared for by kind compassionate staff who spent time listening and taking people to activities they enjoyed in the community. People’s end of life wishes were discussed with people and these had been respected and documented in their care plans.
Management was available to support staff and people and positive interactions were seen between everyone at the service. The atmosphere at the service was calm and organised. The service maintained clear records and carried out audits to check the quality of the service.
We have made one recommendation about displaying feedback from relative’s surveys.