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Inspection on 19/11/08 for 6 Northumberland Road

Also see our care home review for 6 Northumberland Road for more information

This inspection was carried out on 19th November 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.

What follows are excerpts from this inspection report. For more information read the full report on the next tab.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address:     6 Northumberland Road 6 Northumberland Road 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: David Smith     Date: 1 9 1 1 2 0 0 8 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. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things 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 32 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) 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. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 32 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: 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 mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Additional conditions: May accommodate up to 5 persons aged 18 years and over requiring personal care. Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home 6 Northumberland Road is operated by Aspects and Milestones Care Trust, a health and social care charity. The house is an older property which blends in well with neighbouring homes and is within walking distance of local shops, amenities and bus routes. The accommodation is arranged over three floors and there are gardens at the front and rear of the home. There are single bedrooms on all floors of the home and sufficient toilet, bathroom and shower facilities, which people share. The communal areas consist of a lounge diner, kitchen, utility room and separate lounge which is the designated smoking room in the home. This room is well ventilated and has sufficient seating for the three people that smoke. There is no disabled access or lift facilities, so the home is not currently suitable for people who have severe mobility problems or use a wheelchair. 4 Over 65 1 Aspects and Milestones Trust care home 5 None 6 Northumberland Road 6 Northumberland Road 0 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 32 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 peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The last Key inspection of this home was on 09/11/07. This was an unannounced visit to the home as part of a Key Inspection of this service. The pre-inspection planning involved reviewing the report of the last Key Inspection carried out in November 2007 and the service history, which details all contact with the home. We (the CSCI) provided the home with their Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (known as an AQAA). This is a self-assessment, which focuses on how well outcomes are being met for the people who live at Northumberland Road. The home sent us their Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 32 AQAA when we asked for it. It was clear and gave us all the information we asked for. We provided a number of surveys for service users and health professionals prior to our visit. Fourteen surveys were completed and returned and the views of the people who wrote to us have also been included in this Key Inspection report. On the day of our visit we spoke with four people who live in the home and were invited to join three of them for lunch. We also spoke with two members of staff who were working in the home and the homes Manager. Interaction and communication between staff and people who live in the home was observed at various times during the day. We gathered additional information for this report by looking at a number of records within the home such as a selection of care plans and associated records, risk assessments, accident and incident reports, staff personnel and training records and health and safety records. We viewed all communal areas of the home, some of the service users own rooms and the bedroom used by staff members who sleep in. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: We must be notified each time a significant event occurs within the home. This will better promote the welfare and safety of each person who lives at Northumberland Road. The planned redecoration to many areas of the home must be completed as soon as Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 32 possible. This would help to ensure a homely environment is provided to each service user. Each member of staff must complete their planned training programme. This would ensure they have the knowledge and skills to support service users appropriately. 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 8 of 32 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 9 of 32 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. Prospective service users are provided with information they need to make an informed choice of where to live and their needs are thoroughly assessed. Each person is provided with written terms and conditions, between themselves and the home. Evidence: The homes Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide contain comprehensive information about the services the home is able to offer, and also, what they are not able to provide. These are now also available in a speaking book CD format, as this may be easier for some people to understand. Each service user we spoke with, or who wrote to us, said they did have enough information about the home before they moved in and were asked if they wished to live here. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 32 Evidence: The home has a thorough pre-admission procedure, which ensures each prospective service user has their care and support needs thoroughly assessed before they are given the opportunity to move into the home. The home does not currently have any vacancies and there have been no new admissions since 2002. Each person has their own copy of the Service Users Guide, their current contract and the house rules, which the service users wrote themselves. This covers smoking, noise, household chores and privacy. The service users spoken with said these rules are important to them and they are generally adhered to. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 32 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. Service users know their needs and personal goals are reflected in their individual plan. They are supported to make decisions and take risks. Individuals are consulted on, and participate in, all aspects of life in the home. Evidence: We looked at the care records of two people who live at the home. These contain comprehensive information on the areas of support each person requires and the goals they are working towards. The home has improved these plans since our last visit. They are now written in the first person and some service users are now writing part of their own care plans or risk assessments. Each of these plans is written in a person centred way and only includes the areas of Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 32 Evidence: support relevant to each person, such as looking after their finances, help with making decisions, help with cooking and maintaining personal relationships. There is an effective review process. Regular reviews are held, which include service users, relevant health professionals and staff from the home. These are clearly recorded and the outcomes used to update individual care plans. Service users sign each section of their care plan, together with the manager. This is good practice. The service users we spoke with said they made decisions about their lives. Staff support them, and sometimes help by explaining options or possible consequences, but let them choose. Service users who wrote to us said they make decisions about what they wish to do each day and staff listen to them and act on what they say. They are actively involved in all aspects of home life such as cooking, cleaning, and deciding what activities inside or outside of the home they would like to take part in. Interaction between staff and some of the people who live in the home was observed at various times during our visit. These demonstrated staff have a good knowledge of the support needs of service users and how to communicate with them effectively. Both service users and staff are relaxed in each others company and at no time did staff appear rushed or unable to give service users their attention. Each individual has a number of personal Risk Assessments, which support them to take risks as part of their lifestyle. These form part of each persons care plan, are clearly written and are subject to regular review. Some service users now write their own assessments or are involved in assessing risks and sign each assessment, together with the manager, when it is completed. This is good practice. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 32 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. Service users have opportunities for personal development and are valued members of the community. Each persons rights are respected and their responsibilities are made clear. Individuals are supported to develop and maintain personal relationships. Evidence: The individuals we spoke with described the wide range of their interests and the activities they chose either inside the home or in the wider community. These include music appreciation, walking, art and maths groups, attending football matches, visiting the library, shopping trips, attending Clubhouse (a new service user led enterprise), college courses and drop in centres. The service users who wrote to us said they are Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 32 Evidence: able to do want they want to during the day, in the evening and at weekends. The records we looked at show that one individual has a part time voluntary job, another individual has been supported to visit the volunteers bureau to see what options are available to them, two people have been supported to attend a food hygiene course and another attends a weekly dance session. Staff members we spoke with explained the significant progress each individual had made. The people who live in the home have been supported by the staff team to achieve their goals and take advantage of the new opportunities available to them. One member of staff said in the last two years there has been a lot of progress for all the people who live here. The health professionals who wrote to us said the home supports people to live the life they choose, responds well to their different needs and respects each persons privacy and dignity. Comments form these professionals include: the home encourages people to engage in social and vocational activities. They allow residents to progress at their own pace, they always support and encourage individuals to increase their independence and to learn new skills and they make good use of community resources. Service users are supported to organise and go on holiday. The individuals we spoke with said they chose to go on holiday to Wales this year, where they stayed in a caravan. They enjoyed this holiday and also go out on other trips when they can. Each person is supported to keep in touch with family and friends and visitors to the the home are welcomed. If an individual needs extra support, to help develop personal relationships or appropriate skills for example, the home will access professionals. One such professional said I have been very impressed with the staff team and how they achieve a very individual approach. It is clear from speaking to people who live in the home that they understand their rights and responsibilities. They gave examples of how staff respect their rights such as letting them make their own decisions, respecting their own personal space, accepting if they wish to smoke and asking if they can enter their rooms. Each person now has a key to their bedroom and have signed to confirm this in their care plan. Their responsibilities are described within the house rules, which service users write. The menu is chosen each week by the people who live in the home. These show a wide range of food, which provides a healthy and balanced diet. Most of the meals are either cooked by service users or with their help. Most people choose to eat their Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 32 Evidence: meals in the dining area, which overlooks the rear garden. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 32 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. Individuals are supported in their preferred manner and their personal and health care support needs are well met. Individuals are supported to retain and administer their own medication where possible. The homes policy relating to administration of medication ensures each persons welfare and safety. Evidence: The care plans in place for service users provide clear guidance for staff on how they should support those living at the home with their personal and health care. Individuals are registered with a local GP, dentist and optician. Other specialist services are accessed when an identified need arises. The home keeps clear records of each appointment, together with the outcome of the visit. In addition to routine appointments, each person is encouraged and supported to attend an annual health check with their GP. Staff provide support to enable individuals to attend appointments, but if service users wish to go on their own this is Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 32 Evidence: respected. The health professionals who wrote to us said service users health care needs are well met and the home seeks their advice and acts upon this to manage and improve individuals health care. Comments from health professionals include: the home provides excellent health care and support, they always ensure clients can access appropriate medical care as well as specialist support and the overall care provided is of a very high standard. Two GPs wrote to us. They said the home works in partnership with them, that any advice they give is acted upon and they feel the staff have a clear understanding of the needs of the people who live in the home. One said the residents I have spoken to always react favourably when I ask whether they like living at the the home. The home uses the Boots Monitored Dosage System of medicine administration. The medication records show profiles of each service user, recent photograph, details of their medication, times of administration and notes on each of the prescribed medications administered within the home. There is clear information which describes what the medication is for and the possible side effects. Three of the people who live in the home now administer their own medication. Risk assessments have been completed with each individual and each person has their own step by step plan, which gradually allows them to take greater responsibility as they complete each step. This process is kept under constant review and regular checks are made. Each of these individuals has their own secure place to store their medicines, once they have been given to them. One health professional said the home have been excellent at supporting my client in self medication. Staff oversee medication administration within the home, and directly support the individuals who do not self medicate. They ensure medication kept in the home is well audited and have been provided with in-house training from a Nurse Trainer. Should they need to administer medication taken as and when required, there is a clear procedure in place. The Manager said staff are waiting to attend a training session from Boots. This is in relation to the care of medicines, but will be tailored to meet the needs of the people who live in the home and focus on the particular medication they take. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 32 Evidence: Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 32 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. Each person feels their views are listened to and acted upon. They are protected from abuse, neglect and self harm. Evidence: The home has a formal Complaints Policy, an Adult Protection Policy and a Whistle Blowing Policy, which staff can use in confidence to raise any issue or concern they have regarding the service. There have been no complaints to the home since we last visited. We have not had any concerns or complaints direct regarding the service at Northumberland Road. Each service user we spoke with, and those who wrote to us, said that they know who to speak to if they are unhappy and know how to make a complaint. They are clear on who they would approach and feel they are always listened to and their views are taken seriously. The health care professionals and the GPs who responded said they have never had cause to complain and had received no concerns or complaints themselves regarding the home. The people in the home now organise, chair and make records of their regular house Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 32 Evidence: meetings. These provide a good opportunity for individuals to discuss their opinions, concerns or complaints as the staff review their discussions and any issues which need to be addressed are followed up. The home has clear guidelines and risk assessments in place for supporting individuals who may become distressed or present behaviours which may be perceived as challenging the service provided. It is made clear to each person that violent or aggressive behaviour is not acceptable and that the Police will be called to the home if necessary. Staff write detailed reports of each accident or incident which occurs. We viewed a selection of these records which show that each incident is investigated and the outcome of this is acted upon. Each of these reports is reviewed and signed off by the manager. We did note that a small number of reports should have led to a notification being sent to us, such as when medication errors occur or one occasion where one individual agreed to speak to the Police regarding their behaviour in the community. This was discussed with the manager during our visit who agreed these are significant events, but was not aware these needed to be reported to us. We therefore agreed to provide clear guidance regarding the type of events which should be notified, which the home must act on. Staff are provided with training in relation to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults and are subject to Criminal Record Bureau enhanced disclosures, before they start work in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 32 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 adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Northumberland Road generally provides a homely, comfortable and safe environment for people to live in. Evidence: 6 Northumberland Road is an older property which blends in well with neighboring homes and is within walking distance of local shops, amenities and bus routes. The accommodation is arranged over three floors and there are gardens at the front and rear of the home. There are single bedrooms on all floors of the home and sufficient toilet, bathroom and shower facilities, which people share. The communal areas consist of a lounge diner, kitchen, utility room and separate lounge which is the designated smoking room in the home. This room is well ventilated and has sufficient seating for the three people that smoke. The service users spoken with said they like their home and are free to use the communal areas when they wish to. They know their own rooms are private and said people always ask permission before entering them. Each person helps to keep the house tidy and is responsible for sharing the household chores, supported by staff. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 32 Evidence: One health professional said the general ambience of the home is very relaxing and feels more like a home than a care establishment. I rarely find such an atmosphere as it is a very hard thing to achieve. We viewed all the communal areas of the home, some of the service users own rooms and the bedroom used by staff who sleep in. During the last year new furniture, chosen by service users, has been purchased, the kitchen has been repainted and a new tv and stereo have been provided. Some communal areas require redecoration, such as the hallways and stairwells, as these are showing signs of wear and the existing paint is discoloured. The bedroom used by staff who sleep in also needs redecoration, as the paintwork is in a similar condition. The service users bedrooms were last decorated three years ago and these would also benefit from redecoration or repainting, depending on what each person chooses. The plans to use and develop the garden during the last year were never carried out, due to the poor weather and the service users wishing to do other things instead. However, this area still needs attention and this should be attended to. The home was clean and tidy on the day of our visit. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 32 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. Service users are supported by an effective, competent and generally well trained staff team. Individuals are supported and protected by the homes recruitment policy and practice. Evidence: A small, cohesive staff team support the people who live at Northumberland Road. Staff turnover remains low and this helps staff to build and maintain positive relationships with service users. Service users are actively involved in choosing the people who work at the home. When the last member of staff was recruited each individual helped in writing the advert, met the candidates, decided what qualities were required and what questions should be asked at the interviews. Two service users were on the interview panel and each person who lives in the home helped to choose the successful candidate. The service users spoken with said they like the staff and feel well supported by them. Those who wrote to us said staff treat them well, listen to them and act on what they say. One person said staff arent too bad at listening and another said staff are nice, Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 32 Evidence: the house is ok, everything is ok. Discussions with staff members and observation of their work practice show that they are approachable, communicate well and are comfortable with individuals living at Northumberland Road who were seen to be at ease with them. It is evident staff have a clear understanding of the needs of each individual, their care plan and how to implement it. Health professionals who wrote to us said staff have the right skills and experience to support people. One said staff are very skillful in working with this client group and another said the staff I know appear to have a good knowledge of mental health needs. The staff team continues to meet regularly. A record is kept of each meeting and these show that attendance is good and a variety of topics are discussed which relate to the people who live in the home as well as more general issues. We looked at the recruitment records for the latest member of staff to start working in the home. These contained copies of their application form, documents proving their identity and eligibility to work in the UK, two satisfactory references and Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure. Staff are provided with a thorough induction programme and a variety of further training opportunities. The records we looked at show that staff have attended the following training sessions: first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, how to move and handle safety and protection of vulnerable adults. Other more specialist training is provided to enable staff to support service users appropriately and these include: mental health, autism, care of medicines and the Mental Capacity Act. Several members of staff are waiting for a small number of these sessions and these must be completed as soon as possible. Staff are supported to attain a National Vocational Qualification, known as an NVQ. Each experienced member of the team has attained a Level 3 award, with the newest member of staff currently working towards their award. This is commended. Each member of staff is provided with regular, formal supervision. They also have an annual Personal Development Plan meeting. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 32 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 run and individuals benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. Individuals views are central to the review and development of the service. Each persons rights and best interests are promoted by the homes policies, procedures and record keeping and their health, safety and welfare is promoted and protected. Evidence: The homes manager, Mr Swanborough, has many years experience in the social care field and is suitably qualified. He attends training sessions to ensure he keeps up to date on new legislation and ways of working. The management team consists of the manager and his deputy, who is a qualified Mental Health Nurse. There is an open atmosphere within the home and it is run in the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 26 of 32 Evidence: service users best interests. Service users and staff spoken with said the managers are easy to approach and always listen to each persons views. Health professionals who wrote to us said they feel the home is well run. One professional said (on behalf of their team) we are all delighted with the level of care and the management of the home and another said the present manager has had a major impact on improving this care service. This has given residents more sense of hope for the future. The views of the people who live in the home are sought wherever possible. The home uses a number of ways to obtain these, such as house meetings, service user satisfaction surveys and the Trusts own annual Quality Assurance Audit. The service users are actively involved in the recruitment of new staff and those we spoke with or who wrote to us said their views are listened to and acted upon. The home has a number of policies and procedures to ensure the safety of the people who live or work in the home. These are also used to ensure the home complies with the law and remains up to date with the good practice. Details were provided by the manager in the AQAA he completed for us. The record keeping in the home is good. All the records we looked at were well presented and easy to follow. They are kept securely when not being used to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The registered providers representative visits the home each month to conduct an audit. They complete a report following their visit, which describes which records they have looked at and who they have spoken with. There are systems in place to ensure the health and safety of the people who live or work in the home. The homes AQAA confirms that the safety checks on the homes electrical wiring, portable electrical appliances and heating system are all up to date. We looked at the homes fire log. The Fire Risk Assessment was last reviewed in April 2008 and the alarm system serviced earlier this month. All staff members now take part in regular fire drills and service users know what to do if the fire alarm is activated. The Trust conducted their own health and safety audit in June 2008 and found the home has good systems in place. There are also a number of general risk assessments in place to support safe working practices. These are regularly reviewed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 32 Evidence: The home must ensure we are notified each time a significant event occurs within the home. This is described earlier in this report. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 28 of 32 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, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 29 of 32 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, 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 Requirement Timescale for action 1 24 23 The planned redecoration to many areas of the home must be completed as soon as possible. This would help to ensure a homely environment is provided to each service user. 19/03/2009 2 35 18 Each member of staff must 19/01/2009 complete their planned training programme. This would ensure they have the knowledge and skills to support service users appropriately. We must be notified each time a significant event occurs within the home. This will better promote the welfare and safety of each person who lives at Northumberland Road. 19/12/2008 3 41 37 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 30 of 32 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 31 of 32 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. 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. 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