One inspector visited the home and answered our five questions, is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, talking with two people using the service, two staff members and the manager. We reviewed the care plans of the five people who lived in the home and other relevant records.
Is the service safe?
Care plans were detailed and instructed staff how to meet people's needs in a way which minimised risk for the individual. They ensured that staff members had all the information necessary to support people in as safe a way as possible.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. Training records showed that relevant staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which incorporated DoLS. The type of care the home provided and the needs of the people who lived there meant that it had never been necessary to deprive people of their liberty.
The home was safely maintained and systems were in place to make sure that the manager and staff continually monitored health and safety within the premises. Health and safety was taken seriously by the home and all the appropriate safety checks had been completed. This reduced the risks to the people who lived in the home, staff and visitors.
The home made sure that staff were well trained and were generally well supported to enable them to provide safe care to the people who lived there.
Systems were in place to make sure that the manager and staff continually monitored the quality of care offered to people.
Records had been judged as not fit for purpose in October 2013. At this inspection we saw that they were detailed, up-to-date and accurate and helped staff to support people safely.
The people we spoke with told us they felt safe in the home and trusted all the staff.
Is the service effective?
People's health and care needs were assessed with them and they were helped to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and recovery plan. Care plans were detailed and clearly identified people's needs and how they should be met. We saw that staff gave support as described in individual's care plans.
We saw that people signed behavioural agreements as part of their recovery plans and accommodation agreements. We found that if people did not adhere to the agreements they had signed, the appropriate agreed action was taken.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by caring, knowledgeable and patient staff. We saw that care staff were attentive, encouraging and positive. Staff communicated and interacted with people at all times.
People's diversity, values and human rights were respected. Care plans were individualised and person 'centred. We saw that people were treated with respect and dignity by the staff.
People told us that they were treated well and their choices and views were respected.
Is the service responsive?
Care plans were reviewed regularly and amended, as necessary, to meet people's current needs. People were fully involved in making any changes. We noted that staff worked hard to support people to achieve an enjoyable and rewarding life. However, ultimately people made their own choices about their lifestyle and the service was able to identify when they could not meet people's needs. We saw that people were supported and encouraged to access health services in a timely way.
The home had made changes and improvements as a result of ideas and discussions with people who lived in the home.
The home had made the changes required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at the last inspection.
The home had received one complaint in 2014. This was being dealt with effectively, at the time of the inspection.
Is the service well led?
Staff members told us that they felt they were generally supported to do their job well although had some concerns that this support had reduced recently. They said that they felt valued and their views were listened to.
The service had a formal quality assurance system. We saw records which showed that the home identified shortfalls and the actions to be taken to address them. Some examples of changes made as a result of the annual quality questionnaires were provided by the manager. As a result, the quality of the service was being maintained or improved.