This inspection took place on 10 December 2015. It was an unannounced inspection.
Oxenford House is a residential home registered to provide care and accommodation to up to 25 older people. On the day of our inspection 24 people were living at the service.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
People told us they benefitted from caring relationships with the staff who knew how to support them. Staff were supported through supervision, appraisal and training to enable them to provide the high degree of care we observed during our visit.
Staff understood the needs of people, particularly those living with dementia, and provided care with kindness and compassion. People spoke positively about the home and the care they received. Staff took time to talk with people and provide activities such as and arts and crafts, games and religious services.
People were safe. Staff understood how to recognise and report concerns and the service worked with the local authority if there were any concerns. People received their medicines safely as prescribed. Staff assessed risks associated with people's care and took action to reduce risks.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The service had robust recruitment procedures in place which ensured staff were suitable for their role. Background checks were conducted to ensure staff were of good character.
The registered manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) which governs decision-making on behalf of adults who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. People’s capacity to make decisions was assessed appropriately.
People told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided in the home. Learning was identified and action taken to make improvements which improved people’s safety and
quality of life. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care. People’s opinions were sought and their preference respected and acted upon.
People were supported to maintain good health. Referrals to healthcare professionals were timely and appropriate and any guidance was followed. Healthcare professionals spoke positively about the service.
All staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff told us
they were approachable and there was a good level of communication within the home. People knew the registered manager and spoke to them openly and with confidence.
The service maintained links with the local community through local schools, groups and businesses. Volunteers worked in the home and people engaged with local events in the community.
The registered manager led by example and had empowered staff. Their vision that the service should be a home for people, where they were treated as family members, was echoed by staff.
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