Inspection on 12/12/06 for Acorn Village

This inspection was carried out on 12th December 2006.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report. These are things the inspector asked to be changed, but found they had not done. The inspector also made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

Other inspections for this house

Acorn Village 23/03/06

Acorn Village 31/08/05

Acorn Village 02/03/05

Acorn Village 13/07/04

Similar services:

Claremont House

Coopers Mill Ltd

Sun Court Nursing Home

Bramley Avenue (73)

Paradise Lodge

Grangewood

Upaya Ananda

15 Bramble Close

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/07/2008.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Acorn Village Clacton Road Mistley Manningtree Essex CO11 2NJ Lead Inspector Neal Wolton-Harragan Key Unannounced Inspection 13th December 2006 10:30 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 Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.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 Adults 18-65. 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. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Acorn Village Address Clacton Road Mistley Manningtree Essex CO11 2NJ 01206 394124 01206 391216 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) Acorn Village Limited Mr Gary Clive Balls Michelle Marie Cook Care Home 38 Category(ies) of Learning disability (38), Physical disability (38) registration, with number of places Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Persons of either sex, under the age of 65 years, who require care by reason of a learning disability who may also have a physical disability (not to exceed 38 persons) 23rd March 2006 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Acorn Village is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for 38 individuals with learning disabilities, who may also have physical disabilities. Set in extensive well-maintained grounds, Acorn Village is located on the outskirts of the small town of Manningtree, with shops and local facilities within walking distance. The village was opened in 1975 and consists of six selfcontained bungalows, each with its own ancillary facilities and communal living areas. All bedrooms within Acorn Village are single occupancy and many have en suite bathing facilities. In addition to the accommodation there are communal workshops and day care facilities on site, as well as a coffee shop which is open to service users and the general public. Fees charged by Acorn Village range from £450 to £1250 per week. Fees cover all board and care and personal items, such as toiletries and clothing, are purchased as required by service users. Holiday costs are not generally included within the fees unless specifically detailed within an individual contract. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This report follows a key inspection of Acorn Village that culminated in an unannounced visit to the service. The judgements made within this report are based upon evidence found on the day of the inspection along with information submitted by the service and feedback from service users, staff and other parties since the previous inspection. Ms Michelle Cook, one of the two registered managers of Acorn Village, was available throughout the inspection visit and took an active role in the inspection process. During this inspection 29 of the 43 standards were looked at; 28 of these were met (one of which was exceeded) and one was partially met. During the visit to Acorn Village, staff and service users were spoken with. All were positive about the home and service users appeared at ease and were happy to talk to the Inspector. Interactions between staff and service users observed during this inspection were positive. The visit to Acorn Village included a tour of Jubilee House (one of the larger residential units within the service), discussions with service users, staff and the home manager, as well as the opportunity to look at records of how people living at Acorn Village were supported and how the staff were recruited and trained. What the service does well: Acorn Village continued to have a good staff team that worked well to support the people living within the service. The service was well managed and staff had a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The service had an excellent attitude towards staff training and staff were able to undertake training opportunities at the training department within Acorn Village. Service user records showed that people living at Acorn Village were consulted on all areas of life at the home and supported to make decisions about how they would live their lives. Every person living at the Acorn Village had their own bedroom and each person’s bedroom was furnished and decorated to their own taste. There was a good amount of shared space within the home, as well as extensive grounds and gardens and day care facilities that offered a good range of daytime activities for those living at the home. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: 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. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR 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) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 5 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Prospective users’ individual aspirations and needs are assessed. Prospective service users know that the home that they will choose will meet their needs and aspirations. Prospective service users have an opportunity to visit and to “test drive” the home. Each service user has an individual written contract or statement of terms and conditions with the home. The Commission consider Standard 2 the key standard to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 1, 2, 4 & 5 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Prospective service users can expect to have the information they require to make an informed choice about where they live and their needs assessed. Prospective service users could expect to be able to visit and ‘test drive’ the home prior to deciding to move in permanently. Each service user could expect to have an individual contract or statement of terms and conditions with the home. EVIDENCE: The examination of service user records showed that people were offered the opportunity to visit the home prior to moving in and were able to test the service before committing to entering permanently. This was in line with the service’s stated admissions policy and procedure and discussions with service users discussions with the manager and staff gave evidence that this was the practice of Acorn Village. Service user records showed that the needs and aspirations of prospective service users were assessed by an appropriately qualified person to ensure that the home could accommodate the needs of individuals before a placement was offered. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Service user records sampled also showed that people living at Acorn Village had individually prepared contracts with the home. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 Individual Needs and Choices The intended outcomes for Standards 6 – 10 are: 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Service users know their assessed and changing needs and personal goals are reflected in their individual Plan. Service users make decisions about their lives with assistance as needed. Service users are consulted on, and participate in, all aspects of life in the home. Service users are supported to take risks as part of an independent lifestyle. Service users know that information about them is handled appropriately, and that their confidences are kept. The Commission considers Standards 6, 7 and 9 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 6, 7, 8 & 9 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can expect their changing needs and personal goals to be reflected in their individual plan and can expect to be consulted on decisions about their lives. Service users can expect to be supported to take risks as part of an independent lifestyle. EVIDENCE: The service user records sampled during the inspection showed that individual needs were assessed and were reflected within individual service user plans. These plans were subject to regular monitoring and review and changes in needs were identified and acted upon. The examination of records and discussions with individual service users gave evidence that service users were central to the decision-making processes within the home as well as playing a primary role within the care review system in place. Individual service user Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 records sampled showed that comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted and that risks were managed and reviewed appropriately. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 Lifestyle The intended outcomes for Standards 11 - 17 are: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Service users have opportunities for personal development. Service users are able to take part in age, peer and culturally appropriate activities. Service users are part of the local community. Service users engage in appropriate leisure activities. Service users have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. Service users’ rights are respected and responsibilities recognised in their daily lives. Service users are offered a healthy diet and enjoy their meals and mealtimes. The Commission considers Standards 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can expect to have opportunities for personal development and to take part in age, peer and culturally appropriate activities. Service users can expect to be encouraged to be active members of the local community engage in appropriate leisure activities and be supported to have appropriate opportunities to develop and maintain personal and family relationships. Service users’ can expect to have their rights respected and responsibilities recognised in their daily lives. Service users can expect to be offered a healthy diet and enjoyed their meals and mealtimes. EVIDENCE: The Service user records examined gave evidence that each person living at the home had a detailed weekly programme that included work, education and leisure type activities. Service users spoken with on the day of inspection Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 stated that they used community facilities as part of their daily lives as well as using day service facilities within Acorn Village. Discussion this service users and staff, as well as the examination of records and the direct observation of interactions between staff and service users, showed that service users rights were respected and appropriate personal relationships supported. Discussions with staff and the examination of records showed that a varied diet was offered to service users with all nutritional needs being met. Care staff informed the inspector that the weekly menu was compiled jointly and that those living at the home participated in the shopping and meal preparation. Service users were helping to prepare food for a party being held in one of the units later on the day of inspection. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Personal and Healthcare Support The intended outcomes for Standards 18 - 21 are: 18. 19. 20. 21. Service users receive personal support in the way they prefer and require. Service users’ physical and emotional health needs are met. Service users retain, administer and control their own medication where appropriate, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. The ageing, illness and death of a service user are handled with respect and as the individual would wish. The Commission considers Standards 18, 19, and 20 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 18, 19 & 20 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can expect to receive personal support in the way they prefer and require to ensure their physical and emotional health needs are met. Service users can expect to be protected by the homes policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. EVIDENCE: Service users spoken with appeared happy with the way they were supported at Acorn Village and this was reflected within the care plans examined. Service users had contributed to the development and review of their individual plans, which identified individual needs, as well as the choices made by individuals as to how these needs were to be met. Care plans were well detailed, regularly monitored and formally reviewed at appropriate intervals depending on individual need. There was an ongoing process of assessment to take account of the changing needs of individuals and the services of healthcare professionals such as community nurses, speech and language therapists or psychologists were accessed as necessary. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Medications on the unit visited were appropriately stored, administered and recorded and the medication policies and procedures at Acorn Village afforded protection to the service users. All service users at Acorn Village undergo assessments to determine whether they are able to manage their own medications. No service users were administering or controlling their own medications at the time of this inspection although there were a number who were supported with the identification and storing of their own medicines. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Concerns, Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 22 – 23 are: 22. 23. Service users feel their views are listened to and acted on. Service users are protected from abuse, neglect and self-harm. The Commission considers Standards 22, and 23 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can expect that the arrangements in place would help to protect service users from abuse, neglect and self-harm. Service users can expect their views to be listened to and acted upon. EVIDENCE: Acorn Village had a robust complaints procedure. Adult protection policies and procedures in place afforded protection for service users from abuse and where service users presented with behaviours likely to cause self-harm, these behaviours were identified within individual care plans and management strategies devised. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 24 – 30 are: 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users live in a homely, comfortable and safe environment. Service users’ bedrooms suit their needs and lifestyles. Service users’ bedrooms promote their independence. Service users’ toilets and bathrooms provide sufficient privacy and meet their individual needs. Shared spaces complement and supplement service users’ individual rooms. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. The home is clean and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 24, and 30 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 24 & 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The service users can expect to live in a homely, comfortable and safe environment that is clean and hygienic. EVIDENCE: An environmental tour one of the largest of the residential units within Acorn Village gave evidence that service users lived in a homely, comfortable and safe environment and that individual bedrooms suited service user needs and lifestyles and promoted independence. Bathrooms were of a good standard, offered a variety of choices for bathing and showers. There were sufficient shared spaces throughout the home, and within its grounds, to complement and supplement service users’ individual rooms. Service users spoken with on the day inspection expressed a high level of satisfaction with their individual and communal spaces and bedrooms were individualised by service users. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 All areas of Acorn Village visited on the day of inspection were clean and hygienic. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 36 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Service users benefit from clarity of staff roles and responsibilities. Service users are supported by competent and qualified staff. Service users are supported by an effective staff team. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Service users’ individual and joint needs are met by appropriately trained staff. Service users benefit from well supported and supervised staff. The Commission considers Standards 32, 34 and 35 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 32, 33, 34 & 35 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Service users can expect to be supported by competent and qualified staff. Service users can expect their needs to be met by appropriately trained staff. Service users cannot be assured that they will be protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practice. EVIDENCE: Examination of staff records, as well as discussions with the registered manager and staff, gave evidence that care staff had a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities and that staff were largely qualified and competent. Staff spoken with on the day of inspection stated that training was regularly made available and the home manager fully supported staff in meeting their training needs. Acorn Village has its own training department offering a range of development opportunities to staff from induction to NVQ. Acorn Village is registered as an NVQ centre with City and Guilds. Staff records examined showed that while there was a robust selection and recruitment policy and procedure based on equal opportunities and most of the Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 required documentation was in place, the recording of Criminal Records Bureau checks did not show whether the date entered referred to when the check was applied for or when the disclosure was received, nor did it give any indication as to the outcome of the check. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Conduct and Management of the Home The intended outcomes for Standards 37 – 43 are: 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. Service users benefit from a well run home. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. Service users are confident their views underpin all self-monitoring, review and development by the home. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s policies and procedures. 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 are promoted and protected. Service users benefit from competent and accountable management of the service. The Commission considers Standards 37, 39, and 42 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 37, 39 & 42 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The service users can expect to benefit from a well run home and confident their views are underpinned by self-monitoring, review and development at the home. Service users can be assured that their health, safety and welfare will be fully promoted and protected. EVIDENCE: Service users and staff spoken with on the day of inspection were positive about the management style adopted at Acorn Village and staff felt able to raise concerns with, or make requests to, the registered managers. Records examined showed evidence of regular staff meetings being held. The Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 registered manager on duty on the day of the inspection showed a good understanding of management issues. Records examined showed that risk assessments for activities undertaken by staff and service users had been completed. Records showed the health, safety and welfare of service users, staff and visitors was promoted and protected. Record keeping at the home was of a good standard. Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults 18-65 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 3 2 3 3 X 4 3 5 3 INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No Score 22 3 23 3 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 24 3 25 X 26 X 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 31 X 32 3 33 3 34 2 35 4 36 X CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score 3 3 3 3 X LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 3 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 16 3 17 3 PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Score 3 3 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 X Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes 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. 1. Standard YA34 Regulation 19 Requirement The registered person must ensure that all information and documents required within Regulation 19, Schedule 2, of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 are obtained and associated records are appropriately maintained Timescale for action 28/02/07 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 Acorn Village DS0000017744.V325660.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 Commission for Social Care Inspection Colchester Local Office 1st Floor, Fairfax House Causton Road Colchester Essex CO1 1RJ 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. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI - 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. 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