Inspection on 27/02/09 for 2, Saxon Close

This inspection was carried out on 27th February 2009.

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

2, Saxon Close 28/03/07

2, Saxon Close 11/01/06

2, Saxon Close 02/08/05

2, Saxon Close 27/01/05

2, Saxon Close 06/07/04

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Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/06/2011.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: 2, Saxon Close 2, Saxon Close Flitwick Bedfordshire MK45 1UT 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: Andy Green Date: 2 7 0 2 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 28 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.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 28 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: 2, Saxon Close 2, Saxon Close Flitwick Bedfordshire MK45 1UT 01525720170 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) : noemail-3/7/07 MacIntyre Care care home 6 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 6 0 learning disability Additional conditions: Date of last inspection A bit about the care home 2, Saxon Close, residential care home provides long-term care to six people with learning disabilities. The Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 28 home was purpose built in 1998. MacIntyre care, which is a voluntary organisation, operates the home. The accommodation consists of five single bedrooms, two bathrooms, and one separate toilet on the first floor. The ground floor has a bedroom with ensuite facilities, one separate toilet, a small quiet room, and a large lounge. An office combined with staff sleeping in room is also situated on the ground floor. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 28 There is a conservatory and a large rear garden with two summerhouses and a green house. The home is within walking distance of the town centre and its shops. There is and area for parking, and easy access to buses and trains. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 28 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 Individual needs 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 7 of 28 How we did our inspection: This is what the inspector did when they were at the care home We, the Commission for Social Inspection, undertook an unannounced inspection of Saxon Close on 27th February 2009. The home completed an AQAA (Annual Quality Assurance Assessment) which is a self audit tool to give the home an opportunity evaluate how they are meeting standards and regulations. Surveys were also received from residents and staff. We spoke with the manager, care staff and residents to gather their views regarding the services offered in the home. A Page 8 of 28 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) number of records were inspected including care plans, training records, staff files, training files, medication records, health & safety checks and fire testing records. A tour of the building and grounds was also undertaken. What the care home does well Saxon Close continues to provide residents with a caring and comfortable life in a homely environment. The home encourages residents to be as independent as possible without comprising their safety. The management and care staff are clearly committed in providing an individual service, which is reflected in the care plans. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 28 The home is well maintained and residents bedrooms are personalised to meet individual tastes including their own furniture and possessions. Training and supervision is well coordinated for staff so that their skills and performance are regularly updated and monitored. What has got better from the last inspection A registered manager has now been in post for a year and she has managed to review a number of processes to improve the running of the home for residents and staff. This has improved the day to Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 28 day running of the home which, was also confirmed by staff spoken with during the inspection. Refurbishments and redecoration has been completed in the lounge and two bedrooms. What the care home could do better No further issues were identified during this inspection. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 28 If you want to read the full report of our inspection please ask the person in charge of the care home If you want to speak to the inspector please contact Andy Green CPC1 Capital Park Fulbourn Cambridge CB21 5XE 01223 771300 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.csci.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning our order line - 0870 240 7535 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 28 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 13 of 28 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. The home provides information to ensure that prospective residents and health care professionals are clear about the services provided. Evidence: The home is fully occupied and there have been no further admissions since the last inspection. However there is a full assessment procedure in place should a vacancy arise. The manager has recently updated the Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide which includes photographs to aid service users understatnding. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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. The home provides person centred care plans to meet the assessed care and support needs of residents. Evidence: Care plans are written in a person centred style with as much involvement of the individual resident as possible. Two care plans were inspected and they contained a variety of personal care, health care and lifestyle support information to meet assessed needs. There is a document in place which staff sign to confirm they have read the care plan. The care plans are separated into sections to give clear guidelines to staff regarding the support the person requires to achieve their goals and aspirations. Examples included a pen picture, goals and aspirations, morning routines, weekly activities, likes and dislikes, communication guidelines, living skills, personal care guidelines and community access. Two residents were at home during the inspection and they were involved in household tasks with staff assistance and then went out to the local town on a shopping trip. Surveys received from residents indicated that they were happy living in the home and were positive about the care and support they received from the staff team. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES Evidence: There is a risk assessment process in place which seeks to protect residents from harm whilst still maintaining choice and independence. Examples included fire safety, physical abuse and accessing the community. There is also an Essential Lifestyle Plan folder for each resident which shows photographs regarding a variety of daily and social tasks. It was noted , however, that these were fairly out of date and need to be updated or redeveloped as a creative addition to the care planning process with clear benefits for the resident. The manager stated that she would be reviewing this document, with the staff team, to produce a more proactive and useful document. Each resident has a key worker who assists the person with personal and social planning including shopping and daily living tasks.The manager has undertaken communication training and will be cascading this to care staff to improve their skills and understanding. Care plans are regularly reviewed but dates are not always in place. The manager stated that she would ensure that documents include a date and signature block on each page to aid accuracy and avoid any confusion. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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. Residents are involved in a wide range of activities to meet their individual needs and preferences. Evidence: The home actively encourages residents to pursue a wide range of activities and to be involved in the day to day running of the home as much as possible. Individual activities are recorded in care plans. Residents attend local day services, The Gateway Club and colleges in Bedford during the week. A number of residents have active social lives with trips to discos, night clubs, pubs, bowling, line dancing and restaurants with staff assistance. Residents are involved in growing vegetables in the homes garden and two residents have been involved in brewing their own beer. Day trips to local towns and seaside resorts are reguularly organised. Holidays are arranged throughout the year including Center Parcs and self catering breaks in Norfolk. Residents play an active part as much as possible in the daily running of the home, Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES Evidence: with staff assistance including; household chores, meal planning, food preparation and laundry. Takeaway nights are also organised on a regular basis. Residents are actively encouraged to remain in contact with family and friends and there is no restriction regarding visiting the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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 arrangements in place to ensure that residents receive personal and medical care to remain in good health. Evidence: Appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that emergency, ongoing and routine medical needs are addressed including routine and hospitalappointments are kept. Records of appointments with healthcare professionals including GPs, dentists, chiropody and opticians are kept in individual care plans. Appropriate arrangements for the safe storage and administration of medication are in place. Records of administration were accurate and staff receive medication training to ensdure their continuuing safe practice Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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. There are effective arrangements for addressing the concerns that residents might have, to ensure that they feel listened to and protected from harm. Evidence: The care plans contain a section relating to the residents communication abilities should they wish to raise concerns or complaints.A com paints policy is is incorporated in each care plan which is explained to the individual resident. There have not been any complaints received either in the home or by the Commission. However, there has been a number of recent incidents reported to the local police regarding the anti-social behaviour of local youths. This has included the breaking of one the homes bedroom window. Community police are actively involved and carrying out local investigations. Arrangements are in place to ensure that staff receive annual training relating to the protection of vulnerable adults. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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. The accommodation is well maintained and furnished to provide residents with a homely, comfortable and safe environment. Evidence: The home is clean, fresh and tidy and appropriate for the needs of the residents. Communal areas of the accommodation are homely and haave a comfortable feel. There is an ongoing programme of maintenance/refurbishment and since the last inspection the lounge and two bedrooms have been redecorated. A new carpet has been laid in the lounge. A new shed has been purchased. There are accessible gardens with an attractive gazebo and seating which is used by the residents especially in the warmer months of the year. Barbecues are also regularly held in the garden. A greenhouse also provides interest for residents wishing to be iinvolved in growing vegetables. Four bedrooms were seen and they have clearly been individually decorated and personalised to meet the residents style and preferences. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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. Staff are appropriately trained and supervised to ensure that the care support needs of residents be met. Evidence: There is a robust recruitment procedure which is managed through the organisations personnel department. The home does not keep copies of recruitment documents as these records are held centrally. The organisation has an agreement with the Commission that recruitment records are not held in the home but can be readily available on request. There is an information sheet held for each staff member which records that Criminal Records Bureau checks have been made including a reference number. There is an ongoing training programme and records showed that a variety of sessions had been arranged including; moving & handling, first aid, fire safety, medication, infection control, food hygiene, person centred planning, mental capacity and communication training. Staff receive ongoing supervision from the manager on a monthly basis to monitor their work practice and development needs. The manager stated that the senior carer will also be taking on supervision responsibilities for three staff in the next few months. Staff confirmed that they received good quality training and were supervised and supported by the manager. Surveys received from staff were positive about the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES Evidence: home and the support and training they received. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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 residents benefit from a well managed home so that they can live as independently as possible whilst remaining safe. Evidence: The registered manager has been in post since January 2008. She has a an NVQ Level 3 and she is completing an NVQ level 4, the Leadership Skills qualification and a management development course via an e-learning programme. The manager receives monthly visits from her line manager who completes an audit form regarding the development of the homes services. Since the manager has been in post she has reviewed a number of systems and procedures including the care plans, financial checks and health & safety checks. Two staff spoken with felt that the management in the home has improved and that they could raise any issues or concerns freely with the manager. Health & safety checks are in place including water temperatures, fire risk assessment and regular alarm and emergency lighting tests. The manager is in the process of developing a quality assurance audit in conjunction with her line manager to ensure that the home can be improved for the residents and Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES Evidence: the staffs development. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page PAGE of NUMPAGES 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 26 of 28 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 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 28 Helpline: 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 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. 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