Archived: Dennett's Support

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. People told us that staff treated them well. People were supported for by staff who were aware of the risks to people's safety and health and staff knew how to support them in a safe way.

People were not always protected from the risks associated with medicines. Medicines held by the home were stored safely and staff provided good support for people to take their medicines. However, people who managed their own medicines did not have a lockable cabinet to securely store their medicine. This meant that medicines were not always stored safely in the home. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to the management of medicines.

Systems were in place to make sure that the manager and staff learn from events such as accidents and incidents and complaints. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to improve.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.

Is the service effective?

People told us that they were happy with the support they received and that their needs were met. It was clear from observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of people's support needs. Staff had received training to meet the needs of the people living in the home.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and respectful staff. We saw that staff showed patience and compassion when supporting people. People told us that they could do the things they enjoyed. Our observations confirmed this. Staff told us they were able to provide the support that people needed.

People using the service, their relatives and other professionals involved with the service completed a satisfaction survey. Where shortfalls or concerns were raised these were taken on board and dealt with.

Is the service responsive?

People's needs were reviewed regularly and in response to any changing needs. We saw information in people's records which indicated they had been consulted over the support they received. This meant that information about people's preferences were gathered and used to plan support to meet their specific needs. People were supported to maintain relationships with people that were important to them.

The service worked well with health and social care professionals and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way.

Is the service well led?

The service had a quality assurance system and records we saw showed that the provider and manager monitored people's needs and the support provided. As a result the quality of the service was continually improving.

Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and the quality assurance processes in place. This helped to ensure that people received a good quality service.

We also spoke with a visiting health care professional who told us they were happy with the service. They said the communication between them and the service was good.

People confirmed they made choices in their day to day living. We saw people had been supported to understand the consequences of their choices.

During our visit we saw staff interacted with people as equals, involving them in conversations and asking their opinions about things.

People told us they enjoyed the food provided by the home. They said they were involved in the shopping and preparation of food.

Each person had a support plan and goals they wished to achieve. Although these were recorded it was not always clear how people would be supported to achieve them.

Potential risks had been assessed to keep people safe. Some assessments lacked sufficient detail to ensure members of staff were fully aware of the steps they needed to take.