Inspection on 20/10/08 for Albany House

This inspection was carried out on 20th October 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good service.

The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Albany House 14/11/06

Albany House 10/10/05

Albany House 13/06/05

Albany House 15/03/05

Albany House 09/08/04

Albany House 06/05/04

Albany House 16/12/03

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 16/12/2008.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Albany House 17 Esplanade Whitley Bay Tyne & Wear NE26 2AH     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: Jim Lamb     Date: 2 0 1 0 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. the things that people have said are important to them: They reflect 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 © (2008) 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: Albany House 17 Esplanade Whitley Bay Tyne & Wear NE26 2AH 01912525021 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: falmouth24@yahoo.co.uk Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Anne Elkin Type of registration: Number of places registered: Mrs Anne Elkin care home 10 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 mental disorder, excluding learning disability or dementia Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Albany House provides care and accommodation for 10 service users who have mental health needs. The home is situated on The Esplanade, a busy street close to the sea front in the coastal town of Whitley Bay. The towns many shops and leisure facilities are very accessible and the area has good transport links. The accommodation is provided over three floors within a converted Victorian terraced house. All bedrooms are single, and there are an appropriate number of bathrooms and toilets. On street parking is available for non-permit holders on the opposite side of the street at the front of the home. The rear yard has a sitting area that is easily accesible. Copies of inspection reports and information about the service are available in the home. 6 Over 65 4 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 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 peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: We have reviewed our practice when making arrangements, to improve national consistency. Some requirements from previous inspection reports may have been deleted or carried forward into this report as recommendations, but only when it is considered that people who use services are not being put at significant risk of harm. In future, if a requirement is repeated, it is likely that enforcement action will be taken. The quality rating for this service is 2 stars. This means that the people who use the service experience good quality outcomes. How the inspection was carried out Before the visit, we looked at Information we have received since the last visit. How the service dealt with any complaints and concerns Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 28 since the last visit. Any changes to how the home is run. The providers view of how well they care for people. The views of people who use the service, staff and other professionals. The Visit, an unannounced visit was made on 20/10/08 During the visit we, talked with people who use the service, staff, the manager. Looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met. Looked at other records which must be kept, checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for, looked around the building to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable, checked what improvements had been made since the last visit. We told the manager/provider what we found. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The home continues to make improvements to the environment, several areas throughout the home have been decorated to a good standard, and one of the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 28 bathrooms has been fully refurbished. An external smoking area has been created for those service users that smoke. What they could do better: If you want to know what action the person responsible for this care home is taking following this report, you can contact them using the details set out on page 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 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 9 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. Service users needs are properly assessed prior to admission to the home. This means that service users also have the information they need about the service, what they will receive and how much it will cost. Evidence: The care records for two service users were examined. These showed that the manager makes sure that a full assessment of a new service users needs is carried out by the person’s social worker before they come into the home. The manager also carries out her own assessment, to be doubly sure that the home can meet all of the new persons needs. More detailed assessments are carried out once the new service user has come into the home. These include assessments of risk of nutritional needs, of social needs and of behavioral needs. A dependency rating scale is also completed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 28 Evidence: As a result of all these levels of assessment, the manager can clearly demonstrate that all the service users are in a home that can give them the care that they need. The home’s service users guide is available to all prospective service users and their representatives. All are provided with a contract explaining the homes terms and conditions, and fees. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 28 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 care planning system is clear enough to ensure that staff have the information they need to meet the assessed needs of the service users. Evidence: There are individual support plans in place for each of the people who live here. These provide detailed information about each persons support needs for staff. The plans are reviewed annually with service users and their representatives. The written support plans could be difficult for some service users to comprehend, but staff said that they do try to encourage and support service users to identify their own goals and aspirations with their key workers. All of the people who live here have the ability to make their own decisions about their daily lifestyle such as what to wear, what to eat, and what activities they want to do. People are also invited to join the regular house meetings, and service users and staff Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 28 Evidence: discuss suggestions for activities menus and house rules. The people who live here are supported to take acceptable risks as part of an independent lifestyle. These include a range of activities, for example, preparing food in the kitchen, and being out in the community. People who live here have had information about their rights to confidentiality and to access their own records. This has been verbally explained to each person. The service has clear policies about confidentiality, access to information and data protection. The staff on duty were observed to be very respectful and supportive towards the service users. The service users said that they are always treated with respect, and that staff were always kind and helpful. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 28 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 good opportunities for personal development, and engage in valued activities inside and outside the home. Evidence: Each person has a care plan in place, and this helps them to understand the pattern of their day. Through consultation with each service user, the home ensures that each person has opportunities for their own personal development. The home is near to many local facilities that people here make good use of, for example, shops, restaurants, pubs, parks, coastal amusements, seafront, supermarkets and post office. People have good opportunities for leisure activities and with the support of staff, for Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 28 Evidence: example shopping, theatre, and trips to places of local interest. Service users are supported to be as involved as they can be in the running of their home. Some are involved with daily domestic tasks, with support only where necessary. All are supported to read their own mail, and all are invited to join in with the House Meetings. The home ensures that people have good opportunities to contact relatives if they wish. Some go out to visit their relatives, and relatives are welcome to visit the home whenever they wish. All service users are involved in making decisions about the menu and make their own choices about what they like to eat. All are supported to eat a varied, nutritious and healthy diet. Those that are able, help staff to prepare meals to support their independent living skills. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 28 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. Service users physical and emotional health needs are met. All receive support in the way that they prefer and require. Evidence: The service users who live here are generally physically fit and can manage most of their own personal care needs with staff guidance, support and prompts. None require physical assistance. The service users are registered with a local GP practice, and have access to community dental, optician and chiropody services as and when required. If necessary specialist health care services are available i.e. psychiatry, psychology, Speech and Language Therapists and Dietician input. In this way the home ensures that service users health care needs are met by appropriate health care services. At this time some of the current service users, with support from staff, have been assessed as able to manage their own medication. Trained, designated staff continue to manage and oversee the medication nomad system. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 28 Evidence: Medication is securely stored in a locked cupboard. Records of the administration of medication are in place and up to date. No controlled drugs are currently prescribed. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 28 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. Robust systems ensure that service users are protected and fell their views are listened to and acted upon. Evidence: There is a complaints procedure. It contains details of how to contact the CSCI to make a complaint, if complainants are not happy with the homes investigation and response. The procedure is written in a way that ensures service users fully understand its contents. Three service users said that they had been given copies of the procedure and that staff listened to their concerns and always dealt with them fairly. The home keeps a record of complaints. During the last twelve months there has been one complaint received, this was appropriately investigated and resolved. The home has a Whistle Blowing policy, the Local Authorities Vulnerable Adults procedures, and a copy of the Department of Healths document, NO SECRETS. Staff are aware of these procedures and have easy access to them. Safeguarding adults training is ongoing for all staff. Service users can deposit cash for safe keeping, and records are kept of accounts. A Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 28 Evidence: sample of personal finances records was examined. Transactions were appropriately recorded. All service users continue manage their own finances. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 28 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 service users live in a safe comfortable environment. Shared spaces compliment and supplement service users individual rooms. Evidence: The home provides a spacious, comfortable, and well-maintained house. It is decorated and furnished to a fairly good standard. The house includes a spacious kitchen so there is plenty of room for people to be supported when preparing meals. There is an attractive lounge so service users can spend time together.The lounge has just been decorated, and the service users selected the new colour schemes. The bedrooms are decorated and furnished in a way that suits the age and lifestyle of the people who live here. All have individualised and personalised their own bedrooms to suit their own styles. It was clear during this visit that people spend time in the privacy of their own room whenever they wish. All bedrooms are lockable by service users, if they wish. There is a courtyard to the rear of the home and a sitting area that service users can enjoy in fine weather. Located in the courtyard, is a shed with seating that service Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 28 Evidence: users use as a smoking area. There is a small laundry area which is well organised. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 28 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. The service users are supported by a competent and appropriately trained staff team, and they are protected by the homes recruitment practices. Evidence: The service provides all staff with a job description, employment contract, terms and conditions and code of conduct. It was clear from discussions with staff that they are very clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staffing levels are designed to provide support for service users at the times that they require it. There is always a minimum of 1 staff on duty, with ongoing support from the proprietors and two senior staff. Discussions with staff demonstrated their willingness to provide a responsive service. As a result the staff rota is flexible to meet any extra needs such as specific evening leisure events, or to support people with episodes of behavioural needs. The staff work well together as a team. Staff turnover remains very low. The people Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 28 Evidence: who live here benefit from the continuity of care from this consistent staff team, and staff are very knowledgeable about each service users individual needs. The Provider operates very thorough recruitment and selection procedures. Staff are only employed after all satisfactory references and police checks have been received, and this ensures the protection of the people who live here. 95 of staff have completed NVQ 2/3, which is a care qualification. Individual training records of each staff are kept in their personnel files. Staff have individual supervision sessions with their supervisor, around 6 times a year. These are clearly recorded and set out any support needs or issues raised by staff for action. The supervision records are stored confidentially in individual personnel files. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 28 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 service users benefit from a well run home, and there interests are safeguarded by the homes policies and procedures. Evidence: The Registered Manager has many years experience of working with people with mental health care needs. The manager has achieved NVQ level 4 and the Registered Managers Award, which are appropriate qualifications for a manager. The manager also holds a social work qualification. The people who live here have benefited from the consistent support of the manager/proprietors and the staff team. Discussions with staff indicated that they work well as a team, are motivated, and are supportive of the people who live here. The manager has an open, inclusive and encouraging style. There are clearly good Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 28 Evidence: working relations between staff, manager and the service users. These positive practices help to give the home a friendly, welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for the people who live here. The service has a comprehensive quality assurance system to review the quality of the home. There are also House Meetings for service users and staff to make their suggestions, comments or concerns about the service. Each service user has an annual review with their relatives, and their social worker to make sure that the service is still meeting their needs. Service users, relatives and professionals receive an annual questionnaire to complete in which they can give their views about the service. Staff have access to all the relevant policies and procedures that are involved in the running of the home. Records showed that information was up to date and clear, and are securely and confidentially stored. All staff receives statutory health & safety training, and new staff receive this through Induction training. In this way staff understand the practices and procedures to ensure the health and safety of the people who live here. The Fire Authority has approved the fire alarm system. Staff drills and tests are carried out at the correct times. Maintenance contracts were seen to be in place for services and equipment. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 28 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes R 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 1 27 23 Provide all bathrooms and toilets with liquid soap and paper hand towels. 20/12/2006 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 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 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. Copyright © (2008) 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. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 28 of 28 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!