Archived: Focus House

Focus House is a residential home which offers accommodation for people who require personal care and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service offers a home to up to seven people who have a diagnosis of mental health issues. At the time of the inspection the home was operating at full occupancy.

The home is required to have a registered manager. The registered manager has been in post since April 2011, and has completed registration with the CQC. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the time of the last inspection the service was in breach of Regulation 17 – Good governance. There were concerns related to keeping documentation updated specifically in relation to care and the auditing of general operational files. At this inspection we have found that all issues had been resolved.

The service went above and beyond in responding to people’s changing needs. Practice focused on preventing possible relapse resulting in hospitalisation. This meant that in some instances staff may offer additional support to people that was not commissioned for 1:1 hours. In addition, the service offered in house therapy groups to support people in developing skills to manage their wellbeing. They encouraged people to develop hidden skills, leading to recognised qualifications.

People were kept safe by a staff team who knew how to report concerns promptly. Staff were able to describe the different types of abuse and what procedures they would follow if they suspected something. Systems and processes were in place to recruit staff who were suitable to work in the service and to protect people against the risk of abuse. There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained and experienced staff to ensure people’s needs were met. The last new member of staff recruited was approximately five years ago. The staff team was not only full but consistent in approach due to the limited staff turnover.

Good caring practice was observed to be delivered by the staff. People using the service said they were very happy with the support and care provided. They spoke very highly of the staff team reflecting on how they had brought positive changes to their lives.

People told us communication with the service was good and they felt listened to. All people spoken with said they thought they were treated with respect. This was also observed during the inspection process, and was illustrated through the many support programmes developed by the home. People felt this opened an avenue for them where they could express themselves without being judged.

People were supported with their medicines by suitably trained, qualified and experienced staff. Medicines were managed safely and securely. People were encouraged to look at developing their skills and confidence towards self-medicating. Risk assessments were developed to ensure this was done safely and at the pace of each individual person. The process was agreed within a multidisciplinary team and signed off.

People received care and support from staff who had the appropriate skills and knowledge to care for them. All staff received comprehensive induction, training and support from experienced members of staff. Both the registered and deputy manager were reportedly supportive of the staff team, listening and providing guidance as requested. This was visible through comprehensive detailed supervisions and team meetings.

Quality assurance audits and governance of documents were found to be completed by the service. This meant that the service was continually being assessed in line with the needs of people, relatives and stake holders.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We reviewed three care plans and found these to be person centred and regularly reviewed. They were written by both the person and their key worker. This ensured the person was giving their consent and care workers knew how they wanted to be supported. Care plans recorded that people had access to other services to support their health and social needs.

Some people living at the home were able to administer their own medication. Others had their medication administered by suitably trained care workers.

Care workers were supported by management and received regular supervision and had access to relevant training. Annual appraisals were also completed and care workers were encouraged to undertake further training.

The manager had systems in place to assess and monitor the service being provided to people living at the home. The manager also sought the views of care workers and people living at the home so they had an understanding of the service and the support given to people.

One person told us, "After being here I can see a future. It is not just about today, the team help you work towards your independence".

Care workers told us they support people to feel capable of living on their own and encouraged them being independent. One care worker said, "It is a more than a place to live; it is a home and a community"

We saw that people were encouraged to pursue their own interests and care plans detailed people's individual needs. People told us that they were involved in their care and able to influence the way the home was managed. The provider ensured that recruitment procedures were robust and that all staff had safeguarding training to ensure the safety and welfare of the people living at the home.