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Inspection on 04/10/06 for Cornerstones
Also see our care home review for Cornerstones for more information
This inspection was carried out on 4th October 2006.
CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Excellent. 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
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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
Service users living at Cornerstones have complex needs and challenging behaviours. The staff team work hard to ensure that each of their needs are met effectively and safely. This was observed during the inspection. The atmosphere in the home is busy, sometimes noisy but appears happy and relatively relaxed. Service users were unable to tell the inspector about their life in the home, but they appeared to be happy and comfortable. Carers acted in a caring and respectful manner towards service users and had an excellent knowledge and understanding of their needs. They spoke enthusiastically about their work and were keen to ensure service users were happy.The staff team work hard to communicate effectively with service users who have considerable difficulty in expressing themselves. Through the effective use of symbols, pictures and sign language they are able to ensure, as much as possible, that service users are understood and their needs are met. Service users` care plans and assessments of risk provide staff with excellent information and guidance on how to meet service users` needs consistently and safely. The home offers activities, ranging from horse riding, walks, shopping to swimming and many more. Staff were clearly motivated and keen to ensure service users got out as much as possible. The health needs of service users are monitored and well met. Comments from GPs included "A well run, caring environment, committed to a high level of care and will call for medical advice / assessment if they are concerned about residents, good leadership and team working", another comment was " The staff team seem very caring and cope well under often very difficult circumstances". The home has excellent systems in place to ensure service users are fully protected from potential abuse, through staff training and understanding of abuse and good recruitment, adult protection and financial procedures. The levels of staffing in the home is high and staff training is robust and detailed, which ensures service users` needs are met effectively and safely. The manager has excellent leadership skills and ensures the home is run well by providing a clear sense of direction to staff and by constantly checking the home is run in the best interests of service users. Relatives and service users` representatives are always involved and consulted about any decisions made on service users` behalf to ensure decisions are made in their best interests.
What has improved since the last inspection?
The environment is difficult to maintain in terms of decoration and furnishings, due to service users damaging the environment. Despite this, staff have worked hard to improve the home through recent re-decoration, which is almost completed. New flooring has been put in the hall and bathroom of one house. Both bathrooms have been completely upgraded and all windows in the home have been replaced. The TV in one lounge has been "boxed in" making it safe and look more like "normal" furniture. There are development plans to replace more flooring, complete the re-decoration programme, replace some furniture, provide cupboards in bathrooms and for medication. The hygiene in the home has improved with better infection control procedures and the kitchen in one house having better storage.Staff have received appropriate training for the safe handling of medicines, therefore protecting service users` health and welfare.
What the care home could do better:
No requirements or recommendations have been made during this inspection. The manager intends to continue upgrading the environment to ensure it is as homely as possible and meets service users` needs. This will also be included in the home`s detailed quality assurance systems and development plans. The manager also intends to monitor service users` daily records regularly to ensure that staff are reflecting and recording on individual set targets.