Inspection on 13/08/09 for Melody Lodge

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 13th August 2009.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Melody Lodge 30/05/06

Melody Lodge 19/01/06

Melody Lodge 02/08/05

Melody Lodge 18/03/05

Melody Lodge 19/07/04

Melody Lodge 05/01/04

Similar services:

Hillside

Applegarth

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Jubilee Villa Care Home

Thornham Grove

Beech Lodge

8 Thorndale Road (Homefield College)

Hunter`s Lodge

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 16/02/2010.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Melody Lodge West Keal Hall Hall Lane West Keal Lincs PE23 4BJ The quality rating for this care home is: two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full assessment of the service. We call this a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Julie Western Date: 1 3 0 8 2 0 0 9 This is a report of an inspection where we looked at how well this care home is meeting the needs of people who use it. There is a summary of what we think this service does well, what they have improved on and, where it applies, what they need to do better. We use the national minimum standards to describe the outcomes that people should experience. National minimum standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. After the summary there is more detail about our findings. The following table explains what you will see under each outcome area Outcome area (for example: Choice of home) These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: This box tells you the outcomes that we will always inspect against when we do a key inspection. This box tells you any additional outcomes that we may inspect against when we do a key inspection. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: This box tells you our opinion of what we have looked at in this outcome area. We will say whether it is excellent, good, adequate or poor. Evidence: This box describes the information we used to come to our judgement Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to:  Put the people who use social care first  Improve services and stamp out bad practice  Be an expert voice on social care  Practise what we preach in our own organisation Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 25 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (20092008) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 25 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Melody Lodge West Keal Hall Hall Lane West Keal Lincs PE23 4BJ 01790752700 01790752700 melodylodge@tiscali.co.uk skitini@hotmail.com Skitini Care Homes Ltd, T/A Melody Lodge care home 11 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 11 0 learning disability Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 25 A bit about the care home Melody Lodge is a large old house with a lot of gardens and is in a quiet village. Builders are making it bigger at the back. There is a village church and café to walk to. There is room for eleven people but eight live there right now. There is a car to take people to the shops, pubs, and the leisure centre in Spilsby, Boston or Skegness. Fees range from £425 to £780 a week and you can find out more about the home from the manager. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 25 Summary This is an overview of what we found during the inspection. The quality rating for this care home is: Our judgement for each outcome: two star good service Choice of home s and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 25 How we did our inspection: This is what the inspector did when they were at the care home We were there for two and a half hours and we took into account a lot of information we have had since the last inspection. We looked at care plans for four people. We spoke to two people and saw their rooms. We spoke with two staff members. Afterwards we discussed what we found with the managers. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 25 What the care home does well The home is in a quiet and peaceful wooded setting and local people say they have heard it is a good home. The home is clean and comfortable and well decorated. All the people we talked to liked living at Melody Lodge. The managers listen to people and help them to have a say in how the home runs. The carers know about the people living at the home and understand how they like to be cared for. People are can make choices about what they like to do and what they like and dislike. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 25 What has got better from the last inspection What the care home could do better If you want to read the full report of our inspection please ask the person in charge of the care home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 25 If you want to speak to the inspector please contact Julie Western 33 Greycoat Street London SW1P 2QF 02079792000 If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.cqc.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line - 0870 240 7535 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 25 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 5) Individual needs and choices (standards 6-10) Lifestyle (standards 11 - 17) Personal and healthcare support (standards 18 - 21) Concerns, complaints and protection (standards 22 - 23) Environment (standards 24 - 30) Staffing (standards 31 - 36) Conduct and management of the home (standards 37 - 43) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 25 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between the person and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People benefit from a thorough assessment and can be assured that their needs will be met. Evidence: We saw the service user guide, which was up to date and gave details about the home and what it provided. It was in clear print and had pictures. There was a copy in every residents room. We saw the statement of purpose, which was being updated on the computer. It gave information to help people make a decision about making it their permanent home. Two residents described how they had come to live at the home and where they had come from. They both said they liked this home because it was friendly. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 25 Individual needs and choices These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Detailed care plans help students to develop their independence, whilst risks are minimised. They are consulted about their daily lives, and supported in an individualised and respectful way. Evidence: We saw care plans for three people. One had not been reviewed and contained more information than was needed. The manager said she hoped to complete all care plan reviews shortly. Two had been reviewed and were up to date. They were very detailed and linked clearly with their assessments. They included needs such as communication, self-care and health care. The plans showed likes and dislikes and how people made their own choices or decisions. Risk management plans were in place, and covered needs such as mental state, kitchen access, vulnerability and travel. They also cover any restrictions to choice or freedom, which are in place where there is a high risk to health or safety. We saw staff offering choices in whatever way the individual could understand, for example using objects of reference, pictures, gestures or verbally. They also responded to people in a respectful way, and offered gentle reassurances where necessary. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 25 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 25 Lifestyle These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People benefit from a wide range of social and educational opportunities, which help them to develop their skills and live a fulfilling life. Evidence: We saw that each person had an activities programme identified in their care plan. clearly show leisure, educational and home management activity. Activities such as meal preparation, walks, art, paper rounds, music sessions, community based sports sessions, social clubs and meals out are offered. People we spoke with said they liked to do things such as going to the Getaway Club on Thursdays and on trips into town for shopping. On the day of the inspection, two people went to a day centre at Skegness, two were at an outbreak base at Skegness, one was still getting up, one was having a session in her own sensory room and two worked in their vegetable garden and then went to a local cafe. Staff respected the decisions of people not to join in with activities. A variety of games and puzzles was available in the home. Personal effects, photographs, individual records and surveys show that people were supported to maintain their relationships with families and friends. One said she often visited her Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 25 Evidence: mother for weekends. We saw picture menus on the dining room and people we spoke with knew what they were having for lunch and had chosen it. They had picked salad vegetables to use in the meal. The menu was balanced and healthy and included choices. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 25 Personal and healthcare support These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it in a safe way. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. There are good arrangements to make sure that health needs of people are met, and they are protected by the medication policies and procedures. Evidence: Each person has a medical file, which contains information about their health needs, and this information links with care plans. Again care plans are detailed and show staff how to support needs such as behaviours and epilepsy and emotional needs such as anxiety. Records show when people have seen health professionals such as a GP, dentist or optician and they show that things like weight and seizures are monitored. People have an allocated key worker so that they have a consistent support network. Staff demonstrated through discussions and practice that they know health needs of people very well. For example, they were able to describe how needs such as epilepsy are managed. They also made sure that any personal support was provided in a private and dignified way, and they respected decisions about things like what time people got up in the morning. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 25 Concerns, complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them, know how to complain. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People are protected by clear procedures for handling complaints and allegations of abuse, and by the knowledge of staff who are well trained. Evidence: Since the last inspection there have been no complaints and two safeguarding adult referrals. Records we saw showed that one referred to care practice and was unsubstantiated and another is ongoing and refers to a staff issue. Records also show that immediate action was taken to address health and safety issues, and risk assessments were reviewed and updated. Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of what abuse is and how to protect students. Records show that they receive training in this subject. Any restrictions to choice or freedom are referred to in care plans, and the manager said that she and the deputy manager have undertaken training about new legislation referring to rights and freedom which will be passed onto all staff. She said that residents have taken part in training packages about what abuse is. People we spoke with said they would go to the manager or their social worker if they had a complaint, but that they never needed to complain. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 25 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People enjoy a clean, comfortable and homely environment, which is well maintained. Evidence: A tour of the building showed that outside, there is still a lot of maintenance and renovation work going on. This means that there is safety fencing in front of the building, there are pipes, mounds of earth and building equipment at the rear and the garden is currently being cleared of hedges. Internally, the new extension is now finished and people are moving into the new rooms. One showed me her new room and said she was very excited about moving in and loved the room. Other bedrooms and communal rooms seen were decorated to a high standard and homely. Recent improvements have included new double glazed windows throughout. The hall, stairs and landings of the main building are dilapidated with worn carpets, torn wallpaper and damp stains in several ceilings. The manager said that these will be renovated in the next phase of renovation. The owner has a business plan for all of the renovation work. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 25 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent, qualified staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. A well-trained and supported staff team ensures that people are cared for safely. Evidence: The staff rota we saw showed that on the day of the inspection there was the manager and one staff member for four people, the rest being away from the home. In addition there are two domestic staff and a gardener. Both people we spoke with and staff said there were enough staff available to meet the needs of people. We looked at records for two staff members. The recruitment records included criminal record bureau checks, application forms and two written references. They also contained identification and interview records. Surveys from staff show that they receive a good induction and training package, and this was confirmed by individual training records, and by talking to staff. Records we saw showed that 3 staff members have NVQ level 2 [a nationally recognised care qualification] and one has NVQ level 3. The deputy manager is workings towards NVQ level 4. Staff said that they receive training in subjects such as fire safety, moving and handling, and medication administration. WE saw the training programme which showed that specialist training included epilepsy and managing behaviours. There is also Mulberry House Training, a specialist learning disability course with workbooks. Records show that supervision sessions are carried out regularly with staff, and they confirmed this during discussion. They said that there is good teamwork within the home and good communication systems within the home such as handover periods. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 25 Conduct and management of the home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately, with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home is well managed, which means that people receive a good standard of care and support. The systems within the home protect their health, safety and welfare needs. Evidence: The manager has worked in the care profession for 22 years, 16 of these in a managerial post and 6 as manager of this service. She has a post graduate certificate in management and is currently wowrking towards the NVQ at level 4. Staff said that they have good management support and that there are regular staff meetings. The manager makes sure that we are informed of anything that affects health, safety or welfare within the home. We saw a range of health and safety policies in the home such as fire safety, infection control, and moving and handling. Quality monitoring arrangements include regular audits of care files, medical files and daily journals. The records of these audits are kept within the files so that any identified issues can be addressed. Records also show that things like accident and incident records are audited regularly. The owner visit the home regularly to monitor the services. Two people we spoke with said they liked the staff and the manager very much and one descirbed how she used to live in another home but that she liked this one much better. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 25 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 25 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes  No  Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 25 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No Standard Regulation Description Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set No Standard Regulation Description Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations 1 20 It is recommended that the registered manager seeks information and advice from a pharmacist regarding medicines policies and medicines dispensed in the home for residents. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 25 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 or Textphone : or Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, free of charge, in any format or medium provided that it is not used for commercial gain. This consent is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and on proviso that it is not used in a derogatory manner or misleading context. The material should be acknowledged as CSCI copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 25 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. 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