This inspection did not involve a visit to the service. We reviewed updated records and from these we were assured that the provider had taken the required actions to improve the safe administration and recording of medicines.
As part of this inspection we spoke with the acting manager, two representatives from the provider organisation and six care staff . We spoke with three relatives by telephone following the inspection visit. We were not able to effectively communicate with the children and young people who lived at the home so we spent time observing their care.
We also reviewed records relating to the management of the home which included, four care plans, daily care records, staff training records, incidents and accident records and quality audit reports of the service.
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what young people's relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at.
Is the service safe: The young people who use this service had been protected from the risk of receiving inappropriate care because the acting manager and the provider had assessed the young people's needs and delivered care to meet those needs. there were enough staff to care for the young people. However, the way the staff were managed meant that at times their care was less personalised than it could have been and led to delays which meant they were late leaving for school. We found that improvements had been made to the way medicines were stored, administered and recorded. However, this area of the young people's care required further changes to make the medicines process safe.
Is the service effective: The relatives we spoke with told us that the staff cared for their family members well. The records we saw showed that the young people's needs had been assessed and planned for. The staff we spoke with demonstrated through our discussions that they understood each young person's individual needs. We observed the staff delivering care that met the young people's needs.
Is the service caring: We observed that the young people were cared for by staff who understood them and cared about their wellbeing. The staff demonstrated that care through talking kindly and using appropriate reassuring touch. We observed examples of a less caring approach which we discussed with the acting manager who responded quickly to resolve this and protect the young people.
Is the service responsive: The young people had had their needs assessed before they moved to this home. The records we looked at showed that the staff responded to the young people's health needs and timely referrals had been made for advice and treatments. The relatives we spoke with said they could discuss the care of their child with the acting manager. One relative said, "I have always been involved in the care of my child and the staff keep me informed." One relative disagreed with this view but they told us they would make contact with the acting manager to discuss their concern. The young people were able to take part in a variety of activities. We observed one young person being supported to go into the garden and later to have a foot and hand massage.
Is the service well led: There were effective quality assurance and monitoring systems in place. These had enabled the acting manager and the provider to identify where improvements were required and to take the action needed to improve the home. Relatives had been involved in a recent survey questionnaire and they were able to informally give their views when they attended events and celebrations. The staff understood the aims of the service and they were supported to carry out their roles. The provider had analysed and learnt from any incidents and changed practice to improve the care the young people received.
We found that the staff had been trained and were confident about the procedures to minimise the risks of abuse to and to deal with any concerns appropriately. One relative said, 'The staff really care about the children and I haven't the slightest concern about my relative's safety. I know they are safe and happy there'.
We found that inadequate procedures were in place in relation to the storage, management and administration of medicines.
We found that the provider had ensured that the building was secure, suitably equipped and well maintained. Plans to install an additional passenger lift were outlined
.
We found that the service had sufficient, suitably skilled staff and had recognised the desirability of appointing a manager with nursing skills.
We found that processes for monitoring performance in the service were ineffective at the time of our inspection.
The registered manager whose details appear was not managing the service at the time of our inspection.