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Inspection on 31/05/05 for Chatting Independently Ltd

Also see our care home review for Chatting Independently Ltd for more information

This inspection was carried out on 31st May 2005.

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 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.

What the care home does well

Chatting Independently continues to offer a high standard of care in a comfortable and homely environment. The staff are committed to giving an individually tailored service which is reflected in the care plans. Individual bedrooms are personalised to meet the person`s tastes, which can include their own furniture and possessions. There is great emphasis placed upon improving the communication skills of service users and there is regular contact with local community along with relatives.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The gardens to the rear of the premises have been landscaped further to give service users attractive and improved surroundings. The new entrance to the rear of the property has allowed more convenient access for vehicles.

What the care home could do better:

Fire alarm checks need to be carried out on a weekly basis and fire training for staff needs to be updated.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Chatting Independently Ltd 3 Rectory Drive March Cambridgeshire PE15 9QR Lead Inspector Andy Green Unannounced 31 May 2005 @ 10:00 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 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 Stationary 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. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Chatting Independently Ltd Address 3 Rectory Drive, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 9QR Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01354 650767 01354 650767 info@chattingindependently.co.uk Chatting Independently Ltd Anthony Scott Robertson Care Home 5 Category(ies) of Physical disability registration, with number of places Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: none Date of last inspection 6/10/04 Brief Description of the Service: Chatting Independently Ltd. is situated in a converted bungalow at 3 Rectory Drive, which is a private road near to March town centre. The service is specifically designed to cater for 5 service users, with a physical disability, who will be learning how to use AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication aid), which is an electronic device to assist people with speech communication problems. There are five single rooms and service users share the kitchen/dining area, bathrooms and lounge. There are landscaped gardens to the rear of the property. A separate training/treatment room is situated in the home. There is an office and sleeping-in facilities for the staff. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection took place on 31st May 2005. The inspector met with one of the facilitators to assess a number of standards. Standards not assessed on this occasion will be assessed at a later inspection in the year. What the service does well: 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. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 6 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 7 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 standard(s) 1 & 2 The home produces a variety of information so that prospective service users can decide if they wish to live in the home. Assessments prior to admission are in place to make sure that that the care needs of new service users can be met. EVIDENCE: The home has a Statement of Purpose and a Service Users Guide. The staff member stated that these documents are reviewed and updated as part of an ongoing process. An updated brochure has been produced, including photographs, to present information for prospective service users and families. Attempts have also been made to advertise the service to a wider variety of agencies and potential referrers. It is unclear as yet to the effectiveness of this campaign. Communication with an AAC system (Augmentative Alternative Communication aid) is a key part of the home’s assessment and is a condition of registration. There is currently one service user resident in the home and there have been two other service users resident in the home who had stayed for short periods of time for one-three months assessment. Two prospective service users are Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 8 currently being assessed and it is anticipated, depending upon funding, that they will be admitted to the home in the next few months. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 6,7 & 8 The care and support provided at the home is of a high standard to satisfactorily meet the service user’s assessed needs. EVIDENCE: All service users have the opportunity to visit the home with their family and relatives usually for at least half a day prior to admission. There is a three-day assessment to establish whether the service users rehabilitation needs can be met by the home including an assessment regarding the use of an AAC system. The facilitators regularly meet individually with the current service user to ensure that he is consulted about his preferences and views regarding his life in and outside of the home. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 11-17 Care staff provide appropriate support to ensure that service users have access to activities in the home and access to the community appropriate to their needs and abilities. Service users have a choice of meals, which are prepared and served in a homely way. EVIDENCE: The emphasis of the service is to assist service users to be able to communicate using an AAC system. The registered manager and the responsible individual have particular skills and knowledge in the use and training of an AAC system. The facilitators assist the service user with daily living and social skills. Assistance is given with accessing local shops and facilities in the nearby town centre of March. Visits to other local towns are in the specially adapted vehicle owned by the home The current service user has recently been on holiday to France and is planning another holiday in Canada. He is also participated in the ‘Manchester fun run’ with staff assistance and he is planning to participate in the ‘Great Northern Run’ in September. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 18, 19 & 20 The home has care plans to ensure that the assessed needs of service users can be met. The health of service users is monitored and ranges of healthcare professionals visit the home on a regular basis. EVIDENCE: The home is not registered to provide nursing care. Facilitators give the current service user assistance with all personal care needs. Appropriate aids and equipment are in place including hoists in bedrooms and bathrooms. There is additional specialist input from an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist and other healthcare specialists would be contacted/used where appropriate. Medication is stored in a locked safe in each of the service user’s bedrooms. The medication recording charts of one service user were checked and found to be accurate. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 22 & 23 The home has a satisfactory complaints process to make sure that service users and their representatives have their complaints or concerns listened to and actioned properly within agreed timescales. EVIDENCE: There is a clear and effective complaints procedure in place, which is explained to all service users. All complaints are dealt with in agreed timescales and are acted on appropriately. There have not been any complaints received since the last inspection of the home. The CSCI have also not received any complaints about the service. It was observed during the inspection that facilitator spoke to the service user in a sensitive, friendly and social manner to ensure that his assessed needs and preferences are met at all times. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 24-30 The environment of the home provides service users with a safe, comfortable, clean and a well-maintained place in which to live. Service user bedrooms are presented in a style to meet individual preferences and wishes. There are attractive gardens which are accessible to service users. EVIDENCE: The premises are suitable for the stated purpose and they are accessible, safe and well maintained. The home is comfortable, bright, airy and clean. The furnishings and fittings are of good quality. There is an ongoing maintenance and redecoration programme and service users are able to choose colours for their bedrooms. The gardens have been re landscaped with new planting to give more attractive surroundings for service users. One of the outbuildings in the garden is currently being converted to give further therapy/lounge space and also to create a workshop area for service users to participate in hobbies. Redecoration to various areas of the home is currently being undertaken. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 14 There is computer in the lounge, which service users can access the internet and e-mail if they so wish. The premises are kept clean and hygienic. Separate laundry facilities are provided and staff assist service users as required. Service users take part in domestic chores with staff support. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 15 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 35 the key standard to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 32, 33, 35 & 36 The home’s recruitment policy and processes make sure that service users are protected from potential harm. Training is being updated to make sure that care staff are competent to deliver personal care to the service users they support. EVIDENCE: There are currently three facilitators employed in the home to ensure that the service user’s need’ can be met. On the day of inspection interviews were taking place for new facilitator posts to meet the needs of prospective service users who, it is anticipated, will be admitted to the home in the coming months. The facilitator spoken to on the day of inspection stated that she needed updates for some areas of training but she believed that a new training programme is being organised to accommodate existing and newly appointed staff. It is expected that during the forthcoming months training will include mandatory and client specific training sessions. All facilitators are also involved in NVQ training at Level 2 & 3. Individual recorded supervision meetings are taking place every two months to ensure that the staff’s performance and development needs are monitored. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 16 There is also a newly created post for Project Funding Co-ordinator. The inspector met the Co-ordinator who explained that she is initially employed for 15 hours part–time and will be involved in sourcing funding streams via a variety of Trusts and Government based initiatives. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 17 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 39, and 42 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 37 & 42 The manager provides supportive leadership and guidance to staff to ensure that service users receive high quality care, which is monitored through supervision. EVIDENCE: The views and service user’s preferences are given high priority at all times and proactively responded to at all times. The facilitator said that there have been updates regarding first aid and moving and handling but they were still awaiting fire safety and infection control. A fire safety-checking book is in place. It was noted, however, that weekly alarm testing needs to be improved to ensure the safety of service users. Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 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 CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 Score 3 3 x x x Standard No 22 23 ENVIRONMENT Score 3 3 INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 LIFESTYLES Score 3 3 3 x x Score Standard No 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 STAFFING Score 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Standard No 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 Score x 3 3 x 2 3 CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Chatting Independently Ltd Score 3 3 3 x Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score 3 x x x x 2 x I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 19 no Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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 35 Regulation 18(1)(i) Requirement The registered person must ensure that staff training appropriate to the work they are to perform The registered person must ensure that fire alarms are tested on a weekly basis. Timescale for action 31st August 2005 with immediate effect ie. 31st May 2005 and ongoing 2. 42 23(4)(v) 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. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 20 Commission for Social Care Inspection CPC1, Capital Park Fulbourn Cambridge CB1 5XE 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. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Chatting Independently Ltd I53 I03 S47884 CHATTING INDEPENDENTLY V229294 310505 STAGE4.doc Version 1.30 Page 21 - 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. 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