Inspection on 07/02/08 for The Poplars

This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 7th February 2008.

CSCI 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

The Poplars 01/03/06

The Poplars 19/10/05

The Poplars 01/02/05

The Poplars 15/11/04

Similar services:

St Vincents

The Cotswold Home

Newbeech House

Winton House

Rush Court

Hillyfield Rest Home

The Maypole Nursing Centre

The Briars

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE The Poplars 4 Glen Eyre Way Southampton Hampshire SO16 3GD Lead Inspector Janet Ktomi Unannounced Inspection 7th February 2008 09:30 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 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 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Older People. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service The Poplars Address 4 Glen Eyre Way Southampton Hampshire SO16 3GD Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 023 8067 7831 Penhaligon Limited Miss J Cox Care Home 14 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (0), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (0) of places The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. The registered person may provide the following category/ies of service only: Care home only - (PC) to service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - (OP) 2. Dementia - (DE(E)). The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is 14. Date of last inspection 13th March 2007 Brief Description of the Service: The Poplars is registered under Penhaligon Limited and is located in Bassett, a residential district of Southampton close to local amenities. The Poplars provides care and accommodation for 14 older persons in 10 single rooms and 2 double bedrooms, all of which have en-suite toilet and washbasin and most with shower facilities. The home has a stair lift to access the upstairs level. There is a parking area at the front of the house and a pleasant garden at the rear. The registered manager is Miss Jodie Cox who is also one of the Registered Persons in Control. The current fees for the service at the time of the visit range from £385 to £510 per week. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This report contains information gained prior to and during an unannounced visit to the home undertaken on the 7th February 2008. All core standards and a number of additional standards were assessed. The visit to the home was undertaken by one inspector and lasted approximately seven hours commencing at 09.30 am and being completed at 4.30 p.m. The inspector was able to spend time with the registered manager and staff on duty and was provided with free access to all areas of the home, documentation requested, visitors and people who live at the home. Prior to the visit the manager completed an Annual Quality Assurance Questionnaire (AQAA), information from which is included in this report. Comment cards were sent to the home for distribution to people who live at the home and their relatives/visitors. Three comment cards were received from people who live at the home and two relative responses were received. Staff members were also sent comment cards. Information was also gained from the link inspector and the home’s file containing notifications of incidents in the home. During the visit to the home the inspector was able to meet with and talk to many of the people who live at the home and four visitors. The quality rating for this service is 2 star. This means the people who use this service experience good quality outcomes. What the service does well: The home has a comprehensive pre-admission procedure, which includes the opportunity of a day visit. This ensures that people are able to make an informed decision as to whether to live at the home and that the home can meet their needs. All evidence indicates that the home ensures that people’s health and care needs are fully met. A relative stated ‘the home is very well run, it really is a home from home. My mum always looks very well looked after she id so happy and content. I could not fault the home in any way.’ The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 People living at the home stated the food is always/usually good with choice available. The home actively encourages comments, including complaints, from the people who live there and takes appropriate action to rectify any issues raised. The home employs appropriate numbers of care staff that ensure that people’s needs are met. Staff receive the necessary training and good recruitment procedures are in place. A relative stated in a comment card ‘The staff are always friendly and my mum is always well looked after.’ What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: There were no requirements or recommendations made following this inspection. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS Choice of Home (Standards 1–6) Health and Personal Care (Standards 7-11) Daily Life and Social Activities (Standards 12-15) Complaints and Protection (Standards 16-18) Environment (Standards 19-26) Staffing (Standards 27-30) Management and Administration (Standards 31-38) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 2, 3, 4 and 5 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. All people are assessed prior to moving into the home to determine that their individual needs can be fully met. People, or their representatives, are able to visit the home prior to admission to assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Terms and conditions of residency are provided to all people who live at he home. Standard 6 is not applicable, as the home does not provide intermediate care. EVIDENCE: The registered manager explained the homes admission procedure and two pre-admission assessments were viewed, one for a person admitted shortly before the inspection visit and one for a person who had been at the home a longer time. If an initial enquiry from either social services or from a person or their family indicates that the home would be able to meet the persons needs the manager or deputy manager will arrange to visit the person, either at their home or in hospital. A comprehensive pre-admission assessment is completed The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 including where possible members of the persons family and professionals involved in their care. The person is provided with written information about the home and where practicable is invited to visit the home for a day before making the decision as to whether to move in on a four week trial basis. The home has an assessment tool that covers all the relevant areas necessary for the home to decide if it is able to meet a prospective persons needs. The manager was clear about the level of care needs the home can accommodate. The inspector was able to speak with a person recently admitted to The Poplars who confirmed the above procedure had occurred. Occasionally The Poplars will accept emergency admissions in which case the manager stated in the previous report that information from the care manager is obtained. Discussions with care staff indicated that they felt they generally had enough information about new people admitted to the home. Comment cards were received from people who live at the home. These stated that they had received a contract and that they had received enough information about the home before they moved in. Copies of terms and conditions were seen in care plans and had been signed by the person or a relative. Statements in comment cards included ‘we visited several homes before deciding on The Poplars’. Residents at The Poplars tend to be long term. The home does not provide dedicated accommodation for short-term, intermediate care or specialised facilities for rehabilitation. However, respite care is provided, if there is a room available. There was no evidence that this arrangement had any negative impact on the existing residents. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9 and 10. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. People’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Medication is appropriately stored and records fully maintained. People are treated with respect and their dignity maintained. EVIDENCE: Two care plans were viewed one for a new person and the other for a person who had been resident at the home for a longer time. The inspector discussed with staff, visitors and people who live at the home how care needs were met. The deputy manager is in the process of rewriting all care plans into a new format, one completed new format care plan being shown to the inspector. Care plans contained all the necessary information for staff to ensure that all aspects of health, personal and social care needs could be individually met. People have a detailed plan of care including a daily preference plan, which related to the persons assessment. The care plans are person centred and written in plain language agreeable to the individual whose plan it is. Plans are The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 reviewed on a monthly basis and people sign their care plans and reviews if they wish. Care plans are updated every three months and if a person needs change. A key worker system is in place as confirmed by visitors and in comment cards received, one stating ‘I have a dedicated key worker’. Care plans contained relevant risk assessments and management plans including nutrition, falls, self-medication and any individual risks such as resulting from age related memory loss. Comment cards from the people who live at the home stated that they always received the care and support (including medical care) they need. Relatives comment cards and those met during the visit to the service confirmed that they felt that the needs of their relatives living at the home were met. One relative raised some issues that the deputy manager had already discussed with the inspector. Another relative stated in a comment care ‘we are happy with the support provided to our relative’. Discussions with visitors and residents during the inspectors visit indicated that they felt their health and care needs were met and that staff always treated them with dignity and respect. Observations of staff interactions and all comment cards received confirmed that people are treated with respect and their right to dignity maintained. Comment cards and discussions with residents confirmed that staff listen and act on what they say. The home provides mainly single bedrooms with the two twin rooms seen to contain screens to ensure privacy during personal care tasks. Care staff confirmed that they had sufficient time to meet people’s needs and discussions indicated that they had a good understanding of individual peoples needs and how these should be met. The home supports people who wish to self-administer their medication and a risk assessment was seen for the one person self-medicating at the time of the inspectors visit. Each bedroom has a secure storage facility. The AQAA stated and care staff confirmed that they had attended medication training and certificates were seen in staff files sampled. The lunchtime medication administration procedures were observed during the inspectors visit. This being undertaken by two care staff. The procedures used should ensure that people receive the correct medication at the times prescribed by their GP’s. Records relating to medication received into the home, administered and returned were viewed and had been maintained to a good standard. Discussions with the deputy manager and registered manager indicated that medication is considered a high priority and checks are maintained on the records and procedures in use. The manager requested clarification of the storage of a particular medication. Following the inspection the inspector checked the requirements re this specific medication and informed the home that it would need to provide a specific The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 storage facility. The home was undertaking the correct administration and recording procedures in respect of this medication. No requirement is made in respect of the storage of this medication, as the home was aware that it may need to provide specific storage and had raised the issue with the inspector. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 and 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The routines for daily living and activities made available are flexible and varied to suit people’s individual needs. Family and friends are able to visit. People receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. EVIDENCE: The routines for daily living and activities made available are flexible and varied to suit people’s individual needs. Residents and relatives confirmed to the inspector that they are able to choose where in the home they spend their day, many were seen to spend time in the homes lounge with others remaining in their bedrooms. Care plans contained daily preference plans which stating specific requests such as times people like to get up and if they like a morning drink in bed, what time they like to go to bed and if they like a late snack and drink. People confirmed to the inspector that they are given choice over their meals with The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 options being chosen on a daily basis. Bedrooms seen contained personal items brought into the home. Care plans and assessments include information about leisure activities, hobbies/interests, catering and religious needs. People stated that they are able to get up and go to bed at times of their choosing. An activities list was noted on display in the dining room. This listed activities planned and provided by care staff. Since the previous inspection the home has employed a specific activities person two afternoons per week with care staff providing activities on other days. The inspector was shown the activities book which recorded what activities had been undertaken and by whom. Information about activities was also included in individual daily records. A relative stated on a comment card ‘my relative is encouraged to occupy his time doing the things he enjoys i.e. word searches, colouring/painting etc’. The manager described social events held approximately four times per year that the home invites relatives and friends to enjoy with residents. Resident’s opinions about activities varied with some being happy with those provided and others suggesting that they would like more activities. The inspector viewed the minutes of residents meetings that included a section for activities with the deputy manager requesting residents to suggest activities they would like. Discussions with the manager indicated that the home is trying to provide more activities and is planning on purchasing more activities equipment and planning outings for the summer. The inspector was able to meet four visitors with comment cards from other relatives stating that they are able to visit at any time and kept informed about issues affecting their relative. The home has a large dining room, with pleasant views to the garden. Most people were seen to have chosen to have their lunchtime meal in the dining room. People stated that the food is always/usually good and choice provided. The inspector was present for the main lunchtime meal. The food appeared well presented and appetising. Equipment to promote independence was available and seen in use. Drinks and snacks are also available throughout the day with people confirming this as well as the inspector observing people being given morning and afternoon hot drinks and biscuits. The need for special diets or supplements is recorded pre-admission and the home has obtained supplement drinks for one person identified as requiring this. Care plans included peoples food likes and dislikes and supper and late night snacks are provided should people want this. The home has a large, well-equipped kitchen. The home does not employ a cook with a one of the three morning care staff undertaking kitchen duties for the day. All staff have completed a food hygiene course. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 and 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. People and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. People are protected from abuse. EVIDENCE: The home has a clear complaints policy and procedure and a copy is kept in each bedroom and also in the statement of purpose available in the hallway. Comment cards returned from people who live at the home and their relatives indicated that they were aware of how to complain. Discussions with staff confirmed they were aware of what to do if a person complained or raised an issue. The manager identified in the homes AQAA that the home had receive one complaint in the past year. The inspector viewed the records in respect of this which had been upheld and changes implemented as a result. The home has residents meetings that provide further options for people to raise concerns or issues. Discussions with visitors and residents during the inspectors visit and comment cards indicated that people feel able to make their views and opinions known and are not afraid to raise issues with the homes staff or management. The home has a policy and procedure relating to safeguarding adults and ensuring that people are not at risk of abuse. Care staff have had safeguarding adults training as seen in the managers training matrix, certificates in files and The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 confirmed by staff. Discussions with care staff indicated they had a good understanding of adult protection and what they should do if they suspected abuse may have occurred. Discussions with the deputy manager and information received at the commission by way of notifications confirmed that the manager had taken immediate, appropriate action when she suspected that abuse had occurred. Care staff have undertaken training in Dementia and informed the inspector that training about the Mental Capacity Act is planned for the near future. The homes policies and procedures in respect of recruitment and people’s personal finances should ensure that unsuitable people are not employed at the home and that people will not be financially abused. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 and 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. People live in a clean, safe, well-maintained home that meets their individual and collective needs. EVIDENCE: The home is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac and has off road car parking to the front appropriate for the size of the home. The home is well maintained and comfortable and the communal rooms allow residents to sit in a variety of places. There are doors between the main lounge and the lounge dining room that can be closed for privacy when needed. Radiators throughout the home are covered to protect the residents from harm. The previous report identified that all windows on the first floor are fitted with restrictors to limit the amount they may be opened. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 The tour of the building showed the home to be clean and tidy throughout and there were no unpleasant odours. At the time of the visit the home was comfortably warm throughout. Visitors and residents confirmed that the home is always warm and clean. The home is generally well maintained with the manager identifying areas and plans for redecoration and improvement. Since the previous inspection the home has redecorated three bedrooms, re-carpeted four bedrooms and refurbished two bedrooms. The home stated its intention to provide a new improved stair lift in the report following the previous inspection and this was seen fitted and in use during this inspection visit. The home is midway through its second area of damp proof treatment. New equipment has been purchased including a range cooker, washing machine, several vacuum cleaners, towels and some curtains. Externally the gardens have received attention and further work in the garden will be undertaken in the warmer weather. The home identified in the AQAA that it intended to re-decorate the television lounge and this work had already been commenced when the inspector visited. The home has a range of communal areas including, good-sized dining room, lounge, televison lounge, foyer and pleasant patio and gardens. All parts of the home are accessible via a stair lift. Communal areas are furnished with a range of seating and occasional tables. Appropriate bathing and toilet facilities are available with any necessary aids in place. The home has ten single bedrooms and two twin bedrooms. The inspector viewed a number of bedrooms. These vary in size, all have en suite facilities with all but one have an en suite shower in addition to a WC and wash basin. People stated they were happy with their bedrooms and these were seen to contain personal items. People confirmed that they could lock their bedroom doors and had a lockable facility within their rooms or valuables. The homes laundry was visited and is appropriate and fit for purpose with machines capable of washing to disinfection standards. The home identified in its AQAA that it had replaced one washing machine and intended to replace the other laundry machines in the next two years. Members of staff spoken with confirmed they had received infection control training and had access to all the necessary equipment to prevent any risk of cross infection such as disposable gloves and aprons, supplies of which were seen during the visit to the home. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 and 30. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The home employs appropriate numbers of care staff that ensure that resident’s needs are met. Staff receive the necessary training and good recruitment procedures are in place. EVIDENCE: All comment cards, from people who live at the home, relatives and professionals were positive about care staff. A relative stated in a comment card ‘The staff are always friendly and my mum is always well looked after.’ A resident stated in a comment card ‘If there are any problems the staff sort it out immediately’. Duty rotas were seen during the visit to the home. Duty rotas stated that three care staff are provided in the morning; two care in the afternoon/evening and two care (one awake and one waking) at night. Staff, residents and visitors stated that there are sufficient staff on duty. A cleaner is employed five mornings per week with an activities person two afternoons per week. In addition the deputy manager is available weekdays and will cover some shifts when required. During the inspectors visit staff on duty corresponded to those on the duty rota. Care staff stated that they generally have sufficient time to The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 meet people’s needs and throughout the inspection care staff appeared to have time to meet people’s needs, including doing 1-1 activities and sitting chatting with people. The deputy manager provided training and qualification information during the inspection and on the AQAA. The home has a high number of care staff with or studying for an NVQ in Care of at least level 2. With eight of the thirteen staff having the qualification and four further staff undertaking this course. Care staff confirmed to the inspector that they either had the NVQ or had just commenced this qualification. The deputy manager has organised a training matrix so that she can readily identify who requires training or updates. The training matrix indicated that staff have received the necessary training to meet peoples individual and collective needs. All staff have a personal file in which the inspector viewed training certificates. In addition to mandatory training staff have also received in house training relevant to the specific needs of people living at the home such as dementia, diabetes and oxygen therapy etc. Care staff stated on comment cards and to the inspector that they felt they had the necessary training to meet people’s needs. A relative stated on a comment card ‘the staff appear competent, I have seen training being undertaken on a number of occasions’. The recruitment records for the only person recruited since the previous inspection was viewed along with another personal file. These contained all the required information and confirmed that all staff are fully checked including references, CRB and POVA checks prior to commencing employment at the home. The homes recruitment procedures should ensure that unsuitable people are not employed at the home. The manager explained the homes induction procedure that includes the Skills for Care induction. The inspector spoke with a new member of staff who confirmed the correct recruitment procedures had been undertaken and that she had received a comprehensive induction working alongside a senior carer. The new staff member also confirmed that she had undertaken a range of training as seen by certificates in her staff file and on the training matrix. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35, 36, 37 and 38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The manager has the necessary skills and experience to ensure that the home is appropriately managed and run in the best interests of the people who live there. People’s financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. The health, safety and welfare of people and staff are promoted. EVIDENCE: The manager has been the registered manager of the home for several years and informed the inspector that she has virtually completed the NVQ level 4 in care and Registered Managers Award. The delay in completing these being due to inconsistent support provided by the college through which the course was The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 undertaken. The manager also confirmed that she has undertaken all mandatory and specific training with care staff. Throughout the inspection visit the manager demonstrate knowledge of the people who live at the home and the mechanisms by which support can be obtained when necessary. The manager is also one of the providers and has full budgetary responsibility for the home. An experienced deputy manager and senior carer support the manager. A relative stated ‘the home is very well run, it really is a home from home. My mum always looks very well looked after she is so happy and content. I could not fault the home in any way’. Within comment cards and during discussions, people who live at the home, visitors and staff stated that they felt they could approach the manager and that the home was effectively managed. The manager completed the AQAA to a reasonable standard providing relevant information about the service and returned this to the commission within the required timescales. The home also undertakes regular residents meetings the minutes of which the inspector read. These indicated that people are kept informed about any forthcoming issues/changes and are encouraged to raise issues and provide suggestions. Minutes also indicated that the manager has addressed issues raised in previous meetings. The home has an anonymous suggestions box. Relatives stated that they felt able to raise any issues and that these are acted upon. The home does not does not act as appointee or hold valuables for people living at the home. People’s personal finances are dealt with by the resident themselves or their families or solicitors. As previously stated every room has a lockable facility in which people can keep any valuables. Staff confirmed that they felt appropriately supervised. All staff have formal recorded supervision every two months. Care staff confirmed during discussion that they are appropriately supported and supervised with an on call system in place when the manager is not at the home. Various records were viewed during the inspectors visit. All records were appropriately stored with access only available to people who should have access. Records were seen to be well maintained. During the inspectors visit there were no concerns in respect of health and safety identified. The home is generally well maintained and clean, with staff having relevant training to meet people’s needs. The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X 3 3 3 3 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 3 X 3 3 3 3 The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations The Poplars DS0000011620.V356961.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26 Commission for Social Care Inspection Maidstone Office The Oast Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Kent ME16 9NT National Enquiry Line: Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. 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