We undertook an inspection of Ferndale Mews on the 1st May 2014. We spoke with eleven people using the service, three family members and eight staff members including the manager and deputy during our visit. We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask.
• 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, speaking with people using the service, their relatives; the staff supporting them and from looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
The home was well maintained and a programme of refurbishment was taking place in order to ensure the home was pleasant and safe for people living and working there.
Training records highlighted that staff were up to date with all mandatory training needed to support people living at Ferndale Mews.
The manager advised us that appropriate procedures, including review were in place should anyone need to be subject to a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) application or plan. DoLS is part of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and aims to ensure people in care homes and hospitals are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom unless it is in their best interests.
Is the service effective?
The people using the service who were able to tell us said that they were happy living in the home. Comments included; “the staff are nice people”, “staff are 10 out of 10”, “staff are lovely” and “cannot fault them”.
We also received positive comments about the home and staff members from the visitors we spoke with. Comments included; “could not find better, staff are very caring and always keep me informed. They are very proactive” and “this is wonderful, always treat [my relative] with dignity and respect”.
The relationships we saw were warm, respectful, dignified and with plenty of smiles and laughter. The staff members we spoke with could show that they had a good understanding of the people they were supporting and they were able to meet their various needs.
Is the service caring?
We observed that staff interacted well with residents. They took time to ensure that they were fully engaged with the individual and checked that they had understood. Before carrying out interventions with the people using the service they explained what they needed or intended to do and asked if that was alright rather than assume consent. They also spoke to people informally and acknowledged with a smile as they passed through the home and went about their daily tasks.
All staff said that they felt supported to do their job and had received regular formal supervision. (These are regular meetings between an employee and their line manager to discuss any issues that may affect the staff member; this would include a discussion of ongoing training needs)
Is the service responsive?
The care plans had been written in a person centred manner. This means that the individualised care plans focused on the person's individual assessed needs and on how they could be met. The care plans focused on providing support to an individual in different aspects of their daily life, for example how the person was to be supported with promoting their independence and any issues regarding their health so that they were kept as healthy as possible.
During the previous inspection that took place on the 6 December we found some issues around care and welfare, particularly with staff using incorrect manual handling techniques, two service users who were wearing heavily soiled clothes and some concerns regarding poor communication between staff and family members. Following the visit in December the provider sent us an action plan explaining how the issues would be addressed. During this inspection we found that the provider had done this and no further concerns in the areas above were identified.
Is the service well-led?
The staff members we spoke to said that the home was well managed and they enjoyed working there. We saw that the provider had a range of checks completed by the manager and staff on a regular basis. This showed that the provider ensured that there was an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.