Random inspection report
Care homes for adults (18-65 years)
Name: Address: Walsworth Road (17) 17 Walsworth Road Hitchin Herts SG4 9SP two star good service The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: 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 review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection. This is a report of a random inspection of this care home. A random inspection is a short, focussed review of the service. Details of how to get other inspection reports for this care home, including the last key inspection report, can be found on the last page of this report. Lead inspector: Julia Bradshaw Date: 2 7 0 5 2 0 1 0 Information about the care home
Name of care home: Address: Walsworth Road (17) 17 Walsworth Road Hitchin Herts SG4 9SP 01462420019 01462420020 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: www.voyagecare.com Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mr Duke Gekara Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Milbury Care Services Ltd care home 6 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 learning disability Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 6 The home has been registered since February 2005. Walsworth Road is a large detached house with accommodation on two floors. The building has a large back garden, which provides ample communal space. There is a large kitchen, dining room, lounge, conservatory and two bedrooms on the ground floor. Upstairs comprises of office space and a further four bedrooms of which all have en suite facilities. The home is situated within walking distance of the town and all local amenities. Other local attractions are close by and service users are encouraged to integrate within the local community. There is a large car park to the front of the building with ample parking for staff and mini buses. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 8 Brief description of the care home For information on the up to date fees for the home contact should be made with the manager. Information about the home and the service it offers is contained in the Statement of Purpose and the Service User Guide. A copy of these and the most up to date report are available in the home Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 8 What we found:
This inspection was carried out by one inspector over one day and planned at a time to ensure that there would be an opportunity to speak with some of the people who use this service. This service last had a Key inspection in August 2007 when it was given a two star rating. The most recent Annual Service Review was carried out on the 1st March 2010. Two of the people who live at Walsworth road were at home at the time of this inspection along with the manager and several support workers. The home was warm and welcoming. There was a calm atmosphere and people were relaxed and in good humour. The residents we met said they were happy living at the home. The general standard of the environment was satisfactory but several of the communal areas appeared quitetired and require repairing or redecorating. However the manager stated that a new redecoration plan had just been agreed and this included, new settees and furniture to be chosen by the service users for all the communal areas of the home. Also the carpet in the lounge will be replaced with laminate flooring in order to eradicate mal odours and provide a more practical covering that can maintained and cleaned easily. The manager stated that all areas of the service are to be redecorated. New curtains will also be fitted throughout and new carpets to bedrooms, where required. The current staffing arrangements are a minimum of three staff on duty at all times and one waking night care and one sleeping in person per night. Staff spoken to stated that all staff working at the home are flexible and cover sickness and annual leave between them. There are also regular bank staff used, where and when necessary. Details of the recruitment checks were carried out and both the files checked contained all the required information, including CRB checks. Staff training records confirmed that all staff have received mandatory training within the last year. The manager stated that staff will also complete both mental capacity act training and deprivation of liberty safeguards within the next six months. We were shown a variety of examples of the homes quality assurance systems which ensure that people using the service and their representatives receive feedback on the outcome of the annual development plan. Surveys had been sent out and reviewed. We saw a statement about the quality processes within the service. There are also infection control standards in place and include weekly checks carried out by all staff. We were shown evidence of the fire checks that are carried out and these included, the last weekly fire check on the 20/05/2010, the last fire drill was carried out on the 19/05/2010. The last service was carried out on the 19/05/2010. Service users are encouraged and supported to attend weekly residents meetings and evidence was seen to confirm this. Staff spoken to confirmed that they receive regular supervision from the manager and feel that the current management structure is both supportive and approachable. There is currently a deputy manager post vacant and a few care support staff vacant hours, which are being filled by the existing staff team or regular bank staff. The current manager has been in post since November 2009. Previously the service had gone through an unsettling period due to the permenant managers post being vacant for a significant period (August 2008 to November 2009). What the care home does well:
Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 8 Walsworth Road provides a service to people with a range of diverse needs, including challenging behaviour. There are various systems in place, which reflect the professionalism in working practices. Staff were observed to be responsive to peoples needs in a caring and appropriate manner. The service has produced detailed care plans, which give a detailed insight into to the needs of the individual. The people receiving care services at Walsworth Road appear to have some degree of involvement in their care planning. However to ensure that people are fully involved in this process, the manager stated that all care plans will be produced using a person centered approach by the end of the year. The manager must ensure that all care plans are signed by either the service user or their representative. Walsworth Road provides detailed information about the operation of the service to prospective and current residents. The staff team are both committed and enthusiastic in their approach to people living within this service. Bedrooms and communal will be redecorated and re-carpeted within the next six months and will help provide a well maintained and well presented private space for individuals which promotes peoples dignity and provides an acceptable level of comfort and individuality. The staff spoken to during the inspection appeared to have a clear understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities. The service has clearly defined job descriptions. Staff have received a series of mandatory training in order to carry out their roles effectively and professionally. The registered manager appears competent and is experienced in the field of learning disabilities and has created an inclusive environment for both service users and staff. The manner throughout this inspection process was professional and open, which made this inspection experience a positive one, for everyone involved. What they could do better: 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 2. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 8 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 8 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 Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set.
No. Standard Regulation Requirement 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 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 8 Reader Information
Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Inspection Report Care Quality Commission General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. Copies of the National Minimum Standards –Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or got 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 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 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. © Care Quality Commission 2010 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any format or medium for noncommercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source should be acknowledged, by showing the publication title and © Care Quality Commission 2010. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 8 - 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. You have been warned!
