An adult social care inspector carried out this this inspection on 11 June 2014. The focus of the inspection was to answer five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?As part of this inspection we spoke with four people who used the service, a family member of person using the service, the registered manager and four members of care staff. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service which included two care plans, daily records, safeguarding procedures, staff recruitment and training records and quality assurance monitoring records.
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at
Is the service safe?
Risk assessments regarding people's individual needs and activities were in place to minimise potential dangers as much as possible. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in making sure people were protected from the risk of abuse. The provider ensured that all staff were kept up to date with safeguarding training and accompanying reporting procedures. Effective recruitment procedures were in place to ensure that only people suitable to work with vulnerable adults were employed. The premises were well maintained and met the needs of people living in the service.
Is the service effective?
We found that care staff were knowledgeable about people's individual care and support needs. Observations we made during our inspection confirmed that the care staff provided friendly and consistent support when assisting people with personal care. People were also able to make choices regarding how they wished to spend time during their day either in the service, or when accessing facilities in the wider community.
Is the service caring?
Observations made during our inspection showed that people received warm, consistent and respectful support from care staff and they were enabled to make choices and changes when required. One person told us that, 'I am very happy living here.' Staff told us that they were very well supported and supervised by the manager and senior staff so that they could provide safe care and support to people.
Is the service responsive?
We saw that people's personal care and social support needs were assessed and met. This also included people's individual choices and preferences as to how they liked to be supported. We observed that people could make changes to their support and had been involved in reviews of their support as much as possible. We saw that reviews were in place to update people's care and support needs.
Is the service well led?
The service was effectively managed and staff told us that they felt well supported and were regularly trained to safely provide care and support. Observations made during our inspection showed that staff were responsive and attentive so that people were supported consistently and safely. Health and safety checks were in place to monitor the services provided. The service gathered opinions from people who used the service, their relatives and staff to identify any improvements that could be made to the service.