Background to this inspection
Updated
4 February 2015
The inspection was carried out as part of the new inspection process we have introduced for adult social care services. The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector.
The inspection was carried out on 23 October 2014 and was unannounced. The previous inspection of the service was carried out on 15 October 2013 and we found the service was compliant.
As part of the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. We also contacted relevant professionals outside of the service who had knowledge of the service in order to obtain their feedback.
At the time of our inspection there were two people living in the home. We spent some time observing the care provided to people to help us understand people’s experiences of the service and we looked at all areas of the home environment.
We spoke with the registered manager of the service and three support workers who were on shift on the day of the inspection. We also contacted relatives of people who lived at the home to gain feedback about the quality of the service provided to their family member.
During the inspection we viewed a range of records including the care records for one of the people who lived at the home, four staff files, records relating the running of the home and the policies and procedures of the organisation.
Updated
4 February 2015
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This was an unannounced inspection.
There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law.
51 Coachman’s Drive is a residential care home that provides accommodation, care and support for up to two adults. The home provides ground floor accommodation and is fully accessible to people who are physically disabled. The service is situated in the Croxteth Park area of Liverpool.
During this inspection we met people living at the home, we also spoke with a relative, three members of the care staff team and the registered manager.
People living at the home were protected from avoidable harm and potential abuse because the provider had taken steps to minimise the risk of abuse. Clear procedures for preventing abuse and for responding to allegation of abuse were in place. Staff were confident about recognising and reporting suspected abuse and the registered manager was well aware of their responsibilities to report abuse to relevant agencies.
Risks to people’s safety and welfare had been assessed and plans were in place to manage these.
The premises were safe and well maintained and procedures were in place to protect people from hazards and to respond to emergencies. The home was fully accessible and aids and adaptations were in place in to meet people’s individual needs in line with the advice of relevant professionals.
People were protected from the risk of cross infection because staff had been trained appropriately and followed good practice guidelines for the control of infection.
There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people’s needs and keep people safe. Staff recruitment checks were robust and staff were only employed to work at the home when the provider had obtained satisfactory checks on their suitability.
Staff were able to tell us about the different approaches they used to support people to make choices. People’s care plans included detailed information about their preferences and choices and about how they were supported to communicate and express choices.
The registered manager and staff had sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and their roles and responsibilities linked to this. They worked alongside family members and relevant health and social care professionals in making decisions in people’s best interests when this was deemed necessary.
People were provided with good care and support that was tailored to meet their individual needs. People’s needs had been assessed and they had a plan of care which was detailed, personalised and provided clear guidance on how to meet their needs.
People were supported to access a range of healthcare professionals as appropriate to their individual needs. This included supporting people with their nutritional needs.
Medication was managed safely and people received their medication as prescribed. People’s support plans included detailed guidance about how to support people with their medicines.
People were regularly supported to use the facilities in their local community and were supported to take part in work placements and social and recreational activities. The activities were based on the needs, wishes and choices of the individuals living at the home.
Staff presented as caring and we saw that they treated people with warmth and respect during the course of our visit. A relative we spoke with told us they felt staff genuinely cared about the welfare of their family member.
Staff were well supported in their roles and responsibilities. Staff had been provided with relevant training and they attended regular supervision meetings and team meetings.
Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and the lines of accountability within the home and the larger organisation. The registered manager had worked for the provider for over 30 years and had been the registered manager for the home for four years.
Systems were in place to regularly check on the quality of the service and ensure improvements were made. These included regular audits on areas of practice and seeking people’s views about the quality of the service.
There was an open culture at the home and staff told us they would not hesitate to raise concerns and felt that any concerns they did raise would be dealt with appropriately. Throughout our visit staff demonstrated how they supported the aims and objectives of the service in ensuring it was person centred and inclusive.