The inspection took place on 5 January 2016 and was unannounced.
The home provides accommodation for a maximum of six people requiring personal care. There were five people living at the home when we visited. A registered manager was not in post when we inspected the service as they had recently left the service and a manager had recently been recruited. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People responded warmly to care staff looking after them and engaged with them in a friendly and positive manner. Relatives told us they did not have any concerns about their family member’s care.
People received care from staff who understood how to support people correctly and reduce the risk of injury to them when caring for them. People were supported by staff to take their medicines as prescribed. Medicines given to people were correctly recorded and stored away when not in use. The manager made regular checks to ensure people had received their medicines correctly.
People received care and support from staff who were regularly supervised and who could discuss people’s care so that they were clear about how best to support the person. People received care from staff that understood their needs and knew their individual requirements. Staff training was monitored to ensure staff received the correct training they needed to care for people.
People’s consent was appropriately obtained by staff. People who could not make decisions for themselves were supported by staff within the requirements of the law.
People enjoyed their food and were supported where possible to prepare their own drinks and meals. People were offered choices at mealtimes and were supported with any special dietary requirements they had. Staff understood people’s individual needs and preferences and ensured people received the food and drinks they liked.
People’s health needs were assessed regularly by the registered manager and care staff understood how they should care for people. Staff kept families informed about their relative’s care and where appropriate involved them in the decision making. People accessed other health professionals as appropriate such as physiotherapists, occupational health, dentists, doctors and opticians.
People liked the staff who cared for them and sought reassurance through touch. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and staff understood what it meant to support people to retain their independence. Care staff understood each person’s needs and supported people accordingly.
People did not always take part in activities they liked or had an interest in. People’s preferences for interests were in the process of being updated by the new manager so that staff would be able to support people develop their interests.
People were relaxed around the manager and routinely chatted and responded to her. Staff were positive about the manager and felt able to approach the manager and share ideas and concerns about people’s care. Care staff understood their role within the team and how best to support people.
The care people received was regularly reviewed by the manager to people’s care needs were current and up to date. People and their relatives were updated regularly by the care staff manager about any changes and issues affecting the person’s care.