1 February 2012
During a routine inspection
We observed positive interactions between staff and people using the service, where people were actively encouraged to take part in activities of daily living. People were given choices, for example, for lunch people were offered a choice of how they preferred to have their eggs cooked. Later in the afternoon, people were given a choice of whether they would like to have tea or coffee and were given a choice of biscuits. Staff were able to interpret people's gestures and non-verbal communication, and responding appropriately to these, ensuring people's needs were met. We observed staff knocking on people's doors prior to entering and all personal care support was given in the privacy of people's own rooms.
People using the service looked well cared for, were relaxed and showed signs of well-being. People told us how they were supported to attend the local Synagogue and how they enjoyed speaking on the phone to their relative. On the day of our visit, one of the people using the service was supported to attend their usual day service. Another person was supported to go out for lunch and another person had been out shopping and had received support to wash their clothes. We saw people being actively supported to take part in activities of daily living including taking part in meal preparation.
People appeared comfortable in the presence of staff and in the company of each other. We asked a person using the service how they were, and they commented 'I'm alright thank you' and told us they felt safe living at the home. They told us 'I like the staff here'.
Guidance on safeguarding adults was on display in the staff office for reference.
One of the people using the service named the two staff members who had given them their medication on the morning of our visit. Medication was securely stored within a lockable cabinet in each person's bedroom.
We asked a person using the service if they felt there was enough staff to support them at the home. They commented that there were 'lots of people to help, there is enough staff'. When we visited the home, there were two support staff on duty in the morning and afternoon to support people using the service. Currently there are four people living at the home.
We asked a person what it was like to live at the home, and they told us 'I like living here'. People appeared happy and relaxed at home.