Inspection on 27/03/06 for Alpha Community Care

This inspection was carried out on 27th March 2006.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Adequate. 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 made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Alpha Community Care 25/06/08

Alpha Community Care 25/09/06

Similar services:

Dalewood Respite Care

Orchard,The

REACH Upton Court Road

Fairways

Treloar College

Kestrel House, St Anne`s Opportunity Centre,

Pinta

Hillview Farm

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

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Alpha Community Care Green Tiles Home 5 Green Lane Stokenchurch Bucks HP14 3TU Lead Inspector Mr Rob Smith Announced Inspection 27th March 2006 10:00 Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 1 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 Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Alpha Community Care Address Green Tiles Home 5 Green Lane Stokenchurch Bucks HP14 3TU 01494 482229 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) Alpha Medical Care Limited Ms Elizabeth Quaccoo-Walker Care Home 4 Category(ies) of Learning disability (4) registration, with number of places Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection N/A Brief Description of the Service: Green Tiles is a small four bedded home intended to provide long-term accommodation for up to four adults with learning disabilities. The home is run by Alpha Medical Care Limited and is their first venture into provision of residential care. The home is located in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Stokenchurch, a small village approximately 10 miles from the large town of High Wycombe and 20 miles from the city of Oxford. The home consists of a converted bungalow with four bedrooms, one an ensuite, large lounge, kitchen, dining room and staff office. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an announced inspection. The service had not, to date, admitted any residents. The scope of the inspection was therefore very limited and could not address any issues to do with the planning and delivery of care and outcomes for residents. Areas satisfactorily addressed through the process of registration that were unchanged at this inspection were not re-examined. Inspection activity comprised discussion with the home’s manager and company finance manager, scrutiny of a sample of staff files and central records. A brief tour of the premises was also conducted. A full inspection against all key standards will be re-scheduled for the next inspection year by which time it is to be hoped the home will have admitted some residents. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: In the absence of any service user placements upon which to judge the quality of care offered judgements in this area have been limited to the following practical points. The current service users’ guide needed some modification to make it simpler and more accessible to potential service users. The manager needed to start developing a comprehensive range of risk assessments covering the physical environment, use of the building and its resources by services users and anticipated staff working practices. The unified working of the smoke and fire detectors also needed verification and the rear garden pathways needed to be kept clear of moss and slime accumulation. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6 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. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 1 The home had generally satisfactory written information in place to ensure prospective service users or their representatives could make an informed choice about placement in the home. EVIDENCE: The home’s brochure, service user guide and statement of purpose had been scrutinised as part of the recent registration process and found to meet the required standards. They had not been subsequently changed. The inspector did however advise some further modification to the service user guide to make it simpler and more accessible to the potential service user clientele for the home. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): In the absence of any placements in the home none of these standards were inspected. EVIDENCE: Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): In the absence of any placements in the home none of these standards were inspected. EVIDENCE: Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): In the absence of any placements in the home none of these standards were inspected. EVIDENCE: Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 12 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): In the absence of any placements in the home none of these standards were inspected. EVIDENCE: Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 24, 25, 27, 28 & 30 The design and equipping of the home was appropriate to meet the needs of the intended clientele (Stds 24,25,27,28.) EVIDENCE: The overall design and provision of communal and private space in the home was seen to be satisfactory at the point of registration and had not changed at the time of this inspection. Some minor additional plumbing work required by the local environmental health officer in relation to the washing machine in the outhouse had been addressed satisfactorily. All bedrooms were individual and one had good en-suite bathroom provision, the other sharing satisfactory communal bathroom facilities. The home at the time of this inspection was equipped with basic general furniture and equipment to a satisfactory level. The manager explained that rooms and areas would be subsequently personalised and made more homely according to the wishes and needs of service users as part of their planned admission process. The home had been newly converted, redecorated and refurbished as part of the registration process and was therefore in extremely good decorative order and clean and tidy. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 14 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 32, 34 & 35 The home’s staffing plans appeared to provide for adequate levels of staffing to meet the needs of the intended clientele. Staffing recruitment procedures were satisfactory helping ensure appropriate people were employed. Plans for staff training appeared to provide a satisfactory level of induction and ongoing training so that staff could meet the needs of the intended clientele. EVIDENCE: As no service users had yet been admitted the staffing team had not yet been fully established, however projected staffing rotas and plans provided at the point of registration, and discussed at this inspection were still seen to be generally appropriate to the likely needs of services user placed in the home. Some staff had been fully appointed and were waiting to give notice in existing posts once placements in the home were confirmed. Recruitment to other posts was continuing. A sample of recruitment files for potential staff were looked at. These met the expectations of the regulations and standards. Clarification was however advised on the student visa status of one applicant; this was subsequently confirmed as having been resolved by the manager. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15 A range of relevant induction training had been set up for the potential staff team members recruited thus far. This covered appropriate basic areas of practice and the manager indicated this would be supplemented by more extensive training and NVQ opportunities for staff, once the home is underway. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 42 Insufficient attention had been paid to proactive use of risk assessment as a means of minimising risks to both staff and service users. EVIDENCE: Discussion was held with the manager about various aspects of health and safety and while the building was currently seen to be free of obvious hazards, and had been checked by both environmental health and fire officers as part of registration processes, the manager had not yet developed a clear process of more detailed risk assessment. The inspector highlighted the need to consider the potential risks posed by services users’ use of the building and by areas of practice. Examples were given, such as the use of the kitchen by service users and transportation of service users by staff, as areas that needed detailed consideration of risk, as part of the preparation for admission of service users. The manager was also advised to make use of the advice offered on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website and in related publications regarding risk assessment. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17 The manager was also advised to check that the fire and smoke detectors in the building were all linked to go off in the event of fire as a cursory test of one detector during this inspection did not have that effect. The pathways in the rear garden were noted to be rather slippery due to growth of moss and accumulation of slime over the winter months. Measures to clean the paths and prevent this build up in future needed to be taken. Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 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 X 3 X 4 X 5 X INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No Score 22 X 23 X ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 24 3 25 3 26 X 27 3 28 3 29 X 30 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 31 X 32 3 33 X 34 3 35 3 36 X CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score X X X X X LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X 16 X 17 X PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Score X X X X X X X X X 2 X Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? N/A 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 2 3 4 Refer to Standard YA1 YA42 YA42 YA42 Good Practice Recommendations That the service user guide is made simpler and more accessible That the home develops a comprehensive range of risk assessments That the effective combined operation of fire and smoke detectors is confirmed That measures are taken to keep rear garden pathways clear of moss and slime Alpha Community Care DS0000065938.V281167.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20 Commission for Social Care Inspection Aylesbury Area Office Cambridge House 8 Bell Business Park Smeaton Close Aylesbury HP19 8JR National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 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. 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