Archived: Dimensions 18 Langdon Park

During our inspection we spoke with five members of staff and spoke by telephone with the family of people who used the service. Due to communication difficulties we did not obtain the views of people who used the service regarding the outcomes we looked at. Instead our judgements were made on documented information, observation and discussions with family and staff. We observed that people who used the service were involved in aspects of their own care plan including meal and activity planning. Visual aids were used to assist people not able to communicate verbally. Family we spoke with told us that they had been involved in their relative's care and health review meetings and were complimentary about the care provided to their relative. They told us,'They have been truly excellent, very genuine kind people'.

We saw that care plans documented the needs of each person and described the care and support required. Staff participated in training relevant to their work, including medication management competency assessments. A quality assurance programme including quarterly audit checks were led by the provider organisation auditing team. Confidential records were securely stored and maintained; however people's care plan records were not always accurately completed and consistently maintained.

People who use the service and their relatives were involved in making decisions about the care and treatment given and people's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual support plan.

Staff we spoke with were aware of the whistle blowing and safeguarding policy and understood their role. However training records showed that most staff had not completed the necessary basic training such as safeguarding, health and safety and moving and handling.

The provider had a comprehensive auditing system however no audits had been carried out at this service since registration.(March 2012)