The inspection was conducted by one inspector to help us answer our five questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, their relatives, 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 who used the service said the staff treated them 'well', they had no complaints and felt safe at the home. People also told us their room was comfortable for them. We saw the service identified risks to people and protected them from those risks.
The service provided safe, appropriate care, through carrying out initial assessments, planning care based on collating all the required information and making decisions based on risk assessments.
We saw the service identified risks to people and protected them from those risks.
We checked four staff files and these showed that a robust recruitment process was followed, which included the use of an application form, interviews, and a selection process with appropriate checks undertaken before staff began work.
We spoke to staff, who were aware of safeguarding procedures, and we saw records that confirmed they had all received recent training or refreshers in this area so they knew how to protect people. The manager confirmed that there had not been any significant concerns that had resulted in a formal investigation by the local safeguarding authority. This matched our records.
Is the service effective?
People who used the service told us they had no complaints and that the staff were 'nice' and treated them 'well'.
People talked with us about the lovely garden and the two house cats that were entertaining them. One person said they would like to use the garden more and needed support to use it but staff were sometimes busy.
People's health and care needs were assessed with them, and people who used the service told us that they were involved in the planning of their care.
People were cared for and supported by staff that had appropriate checks undertaken before they began work. We saw that staff files were kept in good order and that the records were detailed and accurate.
Is the service caring?
People who used the service said the staff were nice, involved them in their care planning and treated them well. We saw that staff spoke to people softly and kindly and with respect.
People who used the service said the staff were 'nice', involved them in their care plan and treated them 'well'.
We saw that people's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's care plan.
We noted that people were offered a trial period so that they could decide if they liked the home and staff and wanted to live there before they committed to stay.
Is the service responsive?
We found that the service had changed the whole quality assurance system based on feedback from people who use the service from previous surveys. The manager also gave us a further example of where the organisation had analysed the outcome of surveys. This was where a trend of people wanting to go out more was identified and the service bought a car to support this.
Is the service well-led?
We saw that the home was subject to external audits, including for example, finances and the home's policies and procedures.
We noted that the provider attended the home on a regular basis to keep updated and in touch and also completed their own audits and checks with any actions required recorded.
The provider chose to attend the inspection so that they could contribute to the information and possible solutions needed to any shortfalls identified.
The provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.
We noted that the complaints system was monitored for appropriate action needed, and to identify any overall trends where practice changes may be required to improve quality for everybody.