3 August 2015
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 3 August 2015 and was unannounced. Annette’s Care provides care and accommodation for up to three people with learning disabilities. On the day we visited three people were living in the service.
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 manager is also the joint provider of the service.
During the inspection we observed people and staff relaxed in each other’s company and there was a pleasant atmosphere. People told us staff were kind and caring, which our observations confirmed. People’s privacy and dignity were respected by staff who provided individual and personalised care. People spoke highly about the care they received with one person saying; “I feel safe here because staff help me and are kind to me.”
People needed one to one staffing at times and staff confirmed there were sufficient staff to meet this requirement. Staff had completed appropriate training and had the right skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. However new staff did not always receive full induction training. People were not kept safe or fully protected due to poor recruitment procedures.
People’s medicines were managed safely. Medicines were stored, given to people as prescribed and disposed of appropriately. Staff received training and understood the importance of safe administration and management of medicines. People were supported to maintain good health through regular access to health and social care professionals, such as GPs and dentists. People were supported by the local behavioural support teams for people with learning disabilities.
People’s care records were detailed and personalised to meet each person’s individual needs. Staff clearly understood people’s needs and responded promptly when required. People were involved as much as possible with their care plans and had a say on how they liked to be supported. People’s preferences were sought and respected.
People’s risks were documented, monitored and managed well to ensure they remained safe. People lived active lives and were supported to access local areas and a variety of activities. Activities reflected people’s interests and individual hobbies. People were given the choice of meals, snacks and drinks they enjoyed while maintaining a healthy diet. People had input to planning menus, shopping and preparation of meals.
People had access to health and social care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment to meet their individual care needs, for example hospital consultants. Staff acted on the information given to them by professionals to ensure people received the care they needed to maintain their health and social care needs.
Staff knew how to make sure people, who did not have the mental capacity to make all decisions for themselves, had their legal rights protected and worked with others in their best interest. People’s safety and liberty were promoted.
Staff had completed safeguarding training and had a good knowledge of what constituted abuse and how to report any issues. Staff described the action they would take to ensure people were protected against harm and were confident any incidents or allegations would be fully investigated.
Staff described the registered manager as being very supportive, very approachable and very hands on. Staff talked positively about their roles. Comments included; “She (the registered manager) is involved in the home.” And “[…] is brilliant- very supportive with my training.”
There was a quality assurance system in place. Significant events and incidences were documented and analysed. Evaluation of incidents was used to help make improvements and keep people safe. Improvements helped to ensure positive progress was made in the delivery of care and support provided by the staff. Feedback to assess the quality of the service provided was sought from people living in the home and relatives. Relatives were confident that any concern or complaint raised would be handled appropriately.
We found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.