During this inspection, we gathered evidence against the outcomes we inspected to help answer our five key questions: Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with staff and looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read our full report.
Is the service safe?
We found that people's care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual needs.
People living in the home were also protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.
At our last inspection of Dove Lane on 25 June 2013, we found that people living in the home, staff and visitors were not always protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises. This was because some people's needs had changed over the years and the environment no longer met their physical needs in respect of easy access, adequate space and facilities. The manager told us then that the provider recognised the environmental deficits and a planning application to rebuild the home on the same site had been submitted and approved. However, no timescales were known at that time for the work to take place. We therefore gave the provider a compliance action, and asked them to tell us what they were going to do to improve the environment to ensure people's safety and wellbeing.
During this inspection we asked the manager and service manager for an update. We also looked round the building taking into account the physical needs of the people currently living there, and the facilities available. We were told that there were still no firm timescales for the redevelopment of the service, but that the provider was still committed to making this a reality. We found that some improvements had been made in the interim, and although the environment would not be fit for purpose in the long term, we found on this occasion that the provider had taken reasonable steps to ensure people currently living in the home, were safe and cared for appropriately until such time that the redevelopment of the service can take place.
Is the service effective?
People's health and care needs had been assessed to establish their needs.
Although some people did not communicate using words, we observed that they were able to demonstrate their consent clearly through other methods such as actions and physical movement. People were encouraged to make their own choices and decisions, as far as possible, throughout our inspection. It was clear that staff understood people's needs well and knew how best to support them.
Through the course of the day we observed food and drink being regularly provided to people living in the home. The home's routines were flexible, and showed that people's individual preferences and needs mattered.
Is the service caring?
Everyone we observed looked well cared for.
We observed some positive interactions between staff and people living in the home. People were treated with dignity at all times.
Although people living in the home at the time of this inspection did not communicate verbally, staff continually included them in conversations and encouraged them to express their views using non-verbal methods of communication. The manager told us that they were committed to improving ways of communicating with people, in a meaningful way.
Care records that we looked at were personalised, and included information about people's individual preferences in respect of daily routines. We observed that preferences were taken into account and respected.
Is the service responsive?
We saw guidelines that had been written to support staff in managing specific care issues for some people living in the home. The guidelines we read were detailed and had also been reviewed recently. Our observations showed that the care and support provided to people accurately reflected that which was set out in their care records.
Arrangements were in place to support people who were at risk, for example because of limited mobility or poor nutritional intake. There was evidence that people's health conditions were being regularly monitored. Where needed, support had been sought from external professionals; to ensure people's welfare was protected and all their needs met. We noted in one person's records that their health condition had stabilised as a result.
Is the service well-led?
A registered manager was in place, who had worked at the home for a number of years.
It was clear from speaking with staff that they felt well supported and were clear about their roles and responsibilities.
We found that appropriate systems were in place to monitor the quality of service provision, and to give people the opportunity to express their views.
We found that the service was responsive to feedback from external agencies and professionals, in respect of improving the service provided to people living at Dove Lane.