12 May 2014
During a routine inspection
We looked at written records, which included people's care records, staffing rosters and quality assurance documentation. We spoke with four of the people who used the service and we also spoke with the manager and another member of care staff who was on duty.
We considered our inspection findings to answer the five questions we always ask: Is the home caring? Is the home responsive? Is the home safe? Is the home effective? Is the home well led? This is a summary of what we found based on our observations during the inspection.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary, please read the full report.
Is the home caring?
We spoke with four people who lived at the home. One person said to us, "I like living here. I'm looking forward to my holiday." Another person said, "I am happy because I live here." People were able to use documents containing photographs of key aspects of their lives to tell us all about themselves.
All of the interactions we observed between staff and the people who used the service were respectful, encouraging and friendly. There was a relaxed atmosphere in the home. The service was clean and was personalised to the people who lived there. People's privacy and dignity was respected, and people were encouraged and supported to maximise their independence.
Is the home responsive?
People were consulted about and involved in their own care planning and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Care plans and risk assessments were informative, kept up to date and regularly reviewed.
Staff told us that the manager and other senior staff were approachable and they would have no difficulty speaking to them if they had any concerns about the service.
Is the home safe?
The accommodation was adapted to meet the needs of the people living there. It was suited to caring for people with limited mobility and was properly maintained. The provider had systems in place that ensured the safe receipt, storage, administration and recording of medicines.
There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty at the home. There was a proper process in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
Is the home effective?
People we spoke with were satisfied with the care and support they received. This was consistent with positive feedback from people reported in the provider's own annual quality assurance survey. The manager and the staff member we spoke with were knowledgeable about individual people's care needs, and this knowledge was consistent with the care records.
Is the service well led?
Staff said that they felt well supported by the manager, there was a good team ethic and they were able do their jobs safely. The provider had a range of quality monitoring systems in place to ensure that care was being delivered appropriately by staff, that the service was continuously improving and that people were satisfied with the service they were receiving.