Please wait

Please note that the information on this website is now out of date. It is planned that we will update and relaunch, but for now is of historical interest only and we suggest you visit cqc.org.uk

Inspection on 09/12/08 for Dercliffe Care Home

Also see our care home review for Dercliffe Care Home for more information

This inspection was carried out on 9th December 2008.

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

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

Current and prospective residents were provided with appropriate written information. This ensured the residents were aware of the services and facilities available in the home. The admission process included a thorough assessment of people`s needs. This enabled the registered manager and prospective residents to determine whether or not their needs could be met within the home. All residents had a care plan based on their assessment of needs. The plans provided clear guidance for staff on how to meet people`s personal, health and social needs. The residents were involved in the care planning process, which meant they had an active input into the level of care and support provided. The daily routines were flexible and designed to meet the needs and wishes of the residents. The residents could choose to have a lie in and breakfast was served at a time to suit their preferences. The residents spoken to felt they were well cared for and the staff respected their rights to privacy and dignity. One resident wrote in a questionnaire, "Good care is given" and one relative wrote, "The home offers a very caring and supportive environment, nothing seems to be too much trouble". Visitors were welcome in the home at any time and residents were supported to maintain good contact with their family and friends. Relatives spoken to were satisfied with the quality of care provided and felt that the residents were looked after in a caring and sensitive manner. A good percentage of staff had achieved NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) level 2. This qualification provided the staff with the necessary knowledge for their role within the home. The staff were well supported by the manager and had the opportunity to regularly discuss their training needs and the care of the residents. The expert by experience wrote the following about his overall impression of the home. "Dercliffe appears to a warm, friendly homely place to live. It is clean with no unpleasant odours. The rooms are furnished with modern furniture, with the opportunity for residents to substitute their own furniture and personal items. The staff are dedicated, caring and professional, several have been working there for teens of years, with mothers and daughters working alongside each other."

What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection, more information about the residents` healthcare needs had been included in the care plan. This meant the staff had up to date information about the residents` medical conditions. The records of personal care had also been kept on a frequent basis, so that staff could easily recognise any changing needs or recurring difficulties. The residents and their families had been consulted wherever possible during the development and review of their care plans. This meant the residents had an active role in way their care and support was delivered. Frequent checks had been made on the way medication was managed in the home.Detailed records had been made of the checks so that any inconsistencies were easily identified and rectified. This meant the medication was handled safely and effectively. A number of improvements had been made to the premises, to aid the comfort and independence of the residents. These included new carpets in all the communal areas and many of the bedrooms. Several areas had also been redecorated, the external brickwork had been cleaned and the trees at the front of the home had been cut back to provide more light and give better access to visitors. The registered manager had achieved the Employer of the Year Award from the training provider, in recognition to her commitment to staff training.

What the care home could do better:

There were no legal requirements made during the inspection. This meant the home was providing a safe service with good outcomes for the residents.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Dercliffe Care Home Juno Street Nelson Lancashire BB9 8RH     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: Julie Playfer     Date: 0 9 1 2 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 Older People 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 Older People Page 2 of 29 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 Older People Page 3 of 29 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Dercliffe Care Home Juno Street Nelson Lancashire BB9 8RH 01282603605 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Dawn Quinn Type of registration: Number of places registered: Dercliffe Care Home Ltd care home 32 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care home only - Code PC to service users of the following gender: Either whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category - Code OP The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 32 Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Dercliffe is registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection to accommodate 32 older people aged over 65 years. The home, a former vicarage, is a detached property set within its own grounds in a residential area. The home offers 24 single and 4 shared bedrooms, all have ensuite toilets and hand wash basins. Various aids and adaptations including a passenger lift are provided to assist with self-help and mobility. There are 4 lounge/dining rooms, 2 additional sitting areas and a conservatory. The residents have access to a garden to the rear of the property and a paved forecourt at the front of the home, where some car parking is available. Dercliffe Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 29 Over 65 32 0 Brief description of the care home is situated close to local facilities, including shops, post office and a public house. A bus service is available approximately 5 minutes walk from the home. At the time of the inspection the scale of charges ranged from £366.00 to £387.00 per week. Privately funded residents paid £387.00 per week. The registered manager made information available to prospective residents by means of a statement of purpose and service users guide. The service users guide was usually given to relatives and/or prospective residents on viewing the home or at the point of assessment. In addition, all residents accommodated in the home had been issued with a personal copy of the service users guide. Previous inspection reports can be viewed at the home or obtained from the Commissions website at www.csci.org.uk Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 29 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 Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: A key unannounced inspection, which included a visit to the home, was conducted at Dercliffe on 9th December 2008. The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has a personal understanding or experiences of services. The expert wrote an account of his visit to the home and his observations are included throughout the inspection report. Whilst the inspector wrote the report, it refers to We as it was written on behalf of the Commission. We last inspected this service on 15th January 2008. At the time of the visit there were 31 people accommodated in the home. During the inspection we spent time with the people living in the home, looked round the home, read some of the peoples care records and other documents and talked to the staff Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 29 and the registered manager. We also consulted our records about the service. As part of the inspection process we used case tracking as a means of gathering information. This process allows us to focus on a small group of people living at the home, to assess the quality of the service provided. Prior to the inspection, the registered manager completed an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment known as AQAA, which is a detailed self assessment questionnaire covering all aspects of the management of the home. This provided us with useful information and evidence for the inspection. Satisfaction questionnaires were sent to the home for distribution to the staff and the residents. Six questionnaires were returned from the staff and eleven were received from the residents. Some of the residents relatives had also made comments on the questionnaires. The responses from the questionnaires were collated and used throughout the inspection process. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Since the last inspection, more information about the residents healthcare needs had been included in the care plan. This meant the staff had up to date information about the residents medical conditions. The records of personal care had also been kept on a frequent basis, so that staff could easily recognise any changing needs or recurring difficulties. The residents and their families had been consulted wherever possible during the development and review of their care plans. This meant the residents had an active role in way their care and support was delivered. Frequent checks had been made on the way medication was managed in the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 29 Detailed records had been made of the checks so that any inconsistencies were easily identified and rectified. This meant the medication was handled safely and effectively. A number of improvements had been made to the premises, to aid the comfort and independence of the residents. These included new carpets in all the communal areas and many of the bedrooms. Several areas had also been redecorated, the external brickwork had been cleaned and the trees at the front of the home had been cut back to provide more light and give better access to visitors. The registered manager had achieved the Employer of the Year Award from the training provider, in recognition to her commitment to staff training. 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 Older People Page 9 of 29 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 6) Health and personal care (standards 7 - 11) Daily life and social activities (standards 12 - 15) Complaints and protection (standards 16 - 18) Environment (standards 19 - 26) Staffing (standards 27 - 30) Management and administration (standards 31 - 38) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 29 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 and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. 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 them 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. The residents had their needs properly assessed and they were provided with appropriate written information to enable them to make an informed choice about where to live. Evidence: Written information was available for residents in the form of a statement of purpose and service users guide. The statement of purpose was available for reference in the hall and the service users guide was displayed in each of the bedrooms. The residents spoken to confirmed they had received a copy of the service users guide. An information card had also been produced which offered current and prospective residents with an overview of the services and facilities. All documents were presented in a format, which was easy to read and understand. The residents who completed a questionnaire indicated they had received enough information prior to moving into the home. Copies of the last inspection report were available for reference in the hallway. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 29 Evidence: From the personal files seen it was evident that the residents had been issued with a contract. The contracts had been signed by the residents and/or their representative and included information about the level and payment of fees and the rights of the residents. The contract was easy to read and was presented in a clear format. This meant that the residents and their families were aware of the terms and conditions of residence and knew what they could expect from the service. The case tracking process demonstrated that the residents had their needs assessed prior to admission by a social worker and/or the manager or a member of the staff team. According to information contained in the AQAA, the pre admission assessment was carried out at a convenient time and place for the prospective resident. Copies of the preadmission assessments seen covered a range of individual needs including personal, social, health and cultural needs. Since last inspection the registered manager had ensured that the assessment forms had been fully completed, to ensure staff had more information about peoples needs. The registered manager confirmed that admissions were not made to the home in the absence of a full needs assessment. This meant the registered manager could be confident that the staff had the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the assessed needs of prospective residents. Copies of letters were seen on the residents files to indicate the registered manager had informed prospective residents that having considered the assessment, their needs could be met in the home. This meant residents could be assured that the home was a suitable place for them to live. The registered manager said that prospective residents were invited to spend as much time as they wished in the home prior to making the decision to move in. This enabled the person to meet other residents and staff and experience life in the home. Following admission, the contract stated that a trial period of four weeks was offered to every new resident, so both parties could make sure the placement was successful and the residents individual needs could be met. Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 29 Health and personal care 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 health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they 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. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them 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. The health and personal care received by residents was based on their individual needs. Care practice took full account of the residents privacy and dignity. Evidence: Four peoples files were looked at in detail as part of the case tracking process. All three files seen contained a care plan, which was based on the persons assessment of needs. Personal profiles had been incorporated into the care plan documentation, which provided details about past life experiences and important events. This information was useful for staff to stimulate meaningful conversation with the person. The plans were supported by records of personal care, which provided information about changing needs and any recurring difficulties. Since the last inspection the records had been made on a daily basis, to ensure staff were provided with up to date details about the residents well being. The records were detailed and the residents needs were described in respectful and sensitive terms. The care plans covered the residents personal, social, health and cultural needs and Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 29 Evidence: provided staff with clear guidance on how best to meet these needs. This meant staff had up to date information about the residents needs and preferences. Staff who completed a questionnaire indicated that they were given up to date information about the needs of the residents. One person wrote, The care plans are kept up to date and all information is available to staff to help them do the best for our residents. Since the last inspection, the registered manager had ensured that residents and their families had been consulted wherever practicable during the development and review of their care plan. The residents had signed their plans to indicate their participation and agreement. This ensured the residents had an active role in the planning and delivery of their care. Written records seen on the residents files demonstrated that the care plans were reviewed each month and updated in line with changing needs. This meant the staff had access to up to date information about the residents health and well being at all times. Healthcare needs were considered during the assessment process. Since the last inspection, the format of the care plans had been updated to provide staff with information about how to monitor and respond to specific medical conditions. This meant that any changes in a persons condition could be easily recognised and advice sought as appropriate. There was written evidence within the personal care notes to indicate that the residents accessed NHS services and received specialist support as necessary, for instance the District Nursing Team. Charts were maintained to monitor the residents weight, to ensure any fluctuations were noted and acted upon. Risk assessments had been carried out as necessary, in respect to moving and handling, pressure sores, falls and nutrition. Since the last inspection, risk management strategies had been drawn up within the care plan to provide the staff with guidance on how to manage and reduce the risk of pressure sores. This meant the staff were able to respond consistently and safely in to any identified risks. The residents spoken to felt the staff respected their rights to privacy and dignity and all made complimentary remarks about the staff, for instance one person said, They all look after me very well. The residents, who completed a questionnaire, indicated that they received the care and support they needed. One relative who made comments on a questionnaire wrote, The staff are lovely and nothing is too much trouble. There is also lovely atmosphere and it is very relaxed. The staff were observed to interact with the residents in a positive manner and they referred to the residents in their preferred form of address. During discussions, staff demonstrated an awareness of treating people with respect and considering their dignity when providing Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 29 Evidence: personal care. The expert by experience also noted that the residents were contented in the home and reported that one person said, Its a good place here. Policies and procedures were in place to cover all aspects of the management of medicines and were available for staff reference in an advice and information folder. The home operated a monitored dosage system of medication, which was dispensed into blister packs by a local Pharmacist. Appropriate records were maintained in respect to the receipt, administration and disposal of medication. All staff designated to administer medication had received accredited training. Suitable arrangements were in place for the storage and administration of controlled drugs. Since the last inspection stringent audits had been carried out to ensure that medicines were appropriately managed in the home. This meant that the legal requirements relating to medication at the previous inspection had been met. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 29 Daily life and social activities 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 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. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. 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. The residents were able to exercise choice and control over their lives and were supported to maintain good contact with their family and friends. The residents were provided with a nutritious and varied diet, which met with their expectations. Evidence: The residents preferences in respect of social activities were recorded and considered as part of the assessment and care planning processes. A range of activities was planned and implemented by the registered manager and staff. These included exercise sessions, card games, hairdressing, clothes parties, bingo and sing-a-longs. The residents were encouraged and supported to participate in the activities as they wished. However, it was noted that some relatives and staff who had completed questionnaires commented that the activities were limited. This was explored with the residents spoken to by the expert by experience, who reported When speaking to residents about the standard of the home, the food and activities, the general consensus was good. The residents did not appear to want to partake in organised activities and outings and were content to sit and resting the lounges or their own rooms. Comments included, I like to be on my own. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 29 Evidence: The residents were consulted on a daily basis about what activities they wished to pursue and more formally during the residents meetings, which were held four times a year. Information about forthcoming activities was displayed in the hallway. On the day of inspection, the residents were observed to be chatting to staff and watching television. The residents were supported to continue with their chosen form of religion. Representatives from local churches visited the home on a regular basis and an ecumenical service was held every other Tuesday afternoons, for all those residents who wished to participate. The routines were flexible and were primarily designed to meet the needs of the residents. The residents spoken to said they had a choice in the times they got up and went to bed. One person said I like to get up at the same time every day, but I can decide for myself. The staff were observed to seek the residents views throughout the inspection and the residents spoken to felt comfortable to comment on life in the home. The residents had the opportunity to develop and maintain important personal and family relationships. There were no restrictions placed on visiting times and residents were able to receive their guests in private, should they wish to do so. Refreshments were offered to visitors, to ensure they felt welcome in the home. Relatives spoken to during the inspection were satisfied with the quality of care. One person commented, It is excellent, the staff are lovely and nothing is too much trouble, our family are very pleased. All the residents spoken to said they liked the food provided. There was a choice of food each meal time and residents were asked prior to each meal what choice they wished to make. The food was homemade and breakfast was served throughout the morning to suit the preferences of the residents, who wished to have a lie in. The menu was displayed in the hallway. Residents were asked their opinion of the food on an ongoing basis and they could make suggestions for future meals. Further to this the registered manager explained that the menu was due to be reviewed at the forthcoming Residents meeting. The meal served on the day of inspection was plentiful and well presented. The expert by experience joined the residents for lunch and made the following observations. I had the opportunity to have lunch with 5 of the residents, I noticed that there were cups on the table but no saucers or teaspoons nor was there any sugar, there was salt, pepper and vinegar. One frail resident at the table was having difficulty eating, having recently hurt her arm in a fall. I was obliged to bring this to Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 29 Evidence: the notice of the staff. I would recommend that there should be better observation of residents at meal times. The meal I had was well cooked, well presented and nourishing. The expert by experience also noticed that one residents food had been blended together, instead of in separate portions. This meant that it was not possible for the resident to taste the separate components of the meal and the food had an unpleasant appearance. The registered manager explained that this was not usual practice and gave assurances this would not reoccur. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 29 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. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. 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 residents had access to a clear complaints procedure, which meant they were able to voice their views and any concerns. Policies and procedures were in place to respond effectively to any allegations or suspicions of abuse. Evidence: Arrangements were in place to ensure the registered manager and staff listened to and acted on the views and concerns of residents. This was achieved during daily conversations, one to one discussion, satisfaction questionnaires and residents meetings. The residents spoken to said they felt comfortable about expressing their views and were aware of whom to speak to in the event of a concern. The complaints procedure was included in the statement of purpose and service users guide and was also displayed in each bedroom. The residents had been issued a personal copy of the complaints procedure as part of the service users guide. The procedure contained the necessary information and included the relevant telephone numbers should a resident wish to raise a concern. Since the last inspection, the procedure had been updated to include our contact details. This meant the residents and their families could easily contact the Commission should they wish to do so. According to information in the AQAA, the registered manager had not received any complaints during the last twelve months. An appropriate recording system was in Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 29 Evidence: place in the event of a complaint being made. This meant that complaints could be easily tracked and any trend identified. The policies and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults were available and provided guidance for staff should they suspect or witness any harmful practice. These issues were incorporated into the induction training and staff received specific tuition as part of their NVQ training. The staff also had access to a whistle blowing procedure. The procedures associated with the protection of vulnerable adults had been fully discussed at staff supervisions and meetings, to ensure staff were aware of how and where to direct any concerns. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 29 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, 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. 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 residents were provided with a clean, pleasant and well-maintained environment, which promoted their comfort and independence. Evidence: Dercliffe is a mature detached property set in its own grounds in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Nelson. The home is located near to local shops and other amenities and close to main bus routes to nearby towns. Accommodation is provided is 24 single rooms and 4 double rooms, all the rooms have an ensuite facility. Privacy curtains are provided in double rooms to separate the personal space in the room. Communal space is provided in four lounge/dining rooms, two sitting areas and a conservatory all of which could also be used for a variety of recreational activities. Bathrooms and toilets are conveniently positioned around the home with the relevant aids and adaptations. A passenger lift eased access to the first floor. The residents had free movement around the home and could choose where they wished to spend their time. Since the last inspection a number of improvements had been made to the premises, to aid the comfort and independence of the residents. These included new carpets in all the communal areas and many of the bedrooms. Several areas had also been redecorated, the external brickwork had been cleaned and the trees at the front of the Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 29 Evidence: home had been cut back to provide more light and give better access to visitors. The registered manager carried out a quality assurance audit of the environment on a regular basis, to ensure all necessary repairs were carried out and identify any improvements. Arrangements were in place for general maintenance and general repairs. This meant that routine problems with the building were promptly rectified. It was evident from a partial tour of the building that the residents had personalised their rooms with their own belongings and decoration was a good standard throughout. The residents said they liked their bedrooms. One person said, My room is lovely, I can sleep very well. The home was clean and odour free at the time of the inspection. The residents spoken to said that a good level of hygiene was maintained at all times. There was a separate laundry room, which had sufficient and appropriate equipment to meet the laundry needs of the residents accommodated in the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 29 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 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 to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. 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. The residents benefited from experienced, competent and well-trained staff. Evidence: The registered manager maintained a master rota and explained the staff carried out the same duties every week. In the event of an absence, alternative staffing arrangements were recorded in the diary. The registered manager confirmed that six members of staff plus the manager were on duty from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm, four members of staff plus a senior member of staff were on duty from 1.00 pm to 10.00 pm and two people carried out waking watch duty. This meant that there was a sufficient number of staff to meet the needs of the residents. All the staff who provided personal care were aged over 18 and all staff left in charge of the building were aged over 21. Many of the staff had worked at the home for several years and had a good knowledge of the needs of the residents. A recruitment and selection procedure was available and a checklist was used to track documentation required for the recruitment of new staff. The files of two members of staff were looked at in detail. It was evident that all the applicants had completed an application form, provided a full working history and had attended the home for an interview. CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) and POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) checks had been obtained prior to the applicants commencing work in the home. This Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 29 Evidence: meant that new staff were fully checked prior to working in the home. Arrangements were in place for all new employees to undertake induction training. Since the last inspection, the induction training had been reviewed to include the Skills for Care standards. The latter provided underpinning knowledge for NVQ level 2. According to information supplied by the registered manager 22 out of 28 care staff had achieved NVQ level 2, which equated to 80 of the overall staff team. In addition three members of staff were working towards this qualification and some members of staff had progressed to NVQ level 3. All the staff who completed a questionnaire confirmed they received training relevant to their role and all commented that they were well supported by the management team with any training needs. Staff attended both internal and external training courses and had at least three paid days training a year. It was noted staff discussed their individual training needs during their supervision sessions and there was an overall staff training plan. This meant the manager could readily identify future training needs for individual staff and for the staff team as a whole. Further to this, the registered manager had recently achieved the Employer of the Year Award from the training provider, in recognition to her commitment to staff training. Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 29 Management and administration 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 led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate 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. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. 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. Management and administration practices were effective in ensuring the home was run in the best interests of the residents. Evidence: The registered manager had overall responsibility for the management of the home and had achieved the Registered Managers Award and NVQ level 4 in Management. The manager had also undertaken various short courses, including palliative care to refresh her knowledge and skills. The management approach was consultative and there were established ways of working to consult the staff and residents on an ongoing basis. Relationships within the home were positive and staff spoke to and about the residents with respect. Further to this, a member of staff wrote in a questionnaire, The service strives to make sure that each resident is well and happy and another member of staff commented, We treat each individual as a individual and family and friends are always made to feel Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 29 Evidence: welcome. There was a programme in place for staff supervision and the topics discussed during supervision were recorded on a suitable format. Staff received formal supervision six times a year and plus an annual appraisal of their work performance once a year. In addition to supervision, staff were given the opportunity to attend regular staff meetings and handovers. This meant that the staff were able to share experiences and discuss future developments. The service was reaccredited with an Investors in People Award in 2008 and was on the Local Authorities preferred provider list. Satisfaction questionnaires had been distributed to residents and their residents in March 2008. The results of the questionnaires had been collated and the residents had been provided with feedback about the outcome of the survey. The registered manager had produced an annual development plan, which set out the objectives for the forthcoming year based on the results of the quality monitoring processes. This document linked with the AQAA questionnaire submitted to the Commission. All sections of the AQAA were completed and the information provided gave a clear picture of the current situation within the service and the planned areas for development. Appropriate arrangements were in place for handling money, which had been deposited with the home by or on behalf of a resident. A random check of the records and monies deposited on the premises was found to be correct. This meant the residents financial affairs were safeguarded. There was a set of health and safety policies and procedures, which included the safe storage of hazardous substances and infection control. Staff received health and safety training, which included moving and handling, food hygiene, first aid and fire safety. Documentation seen during the inspection and information supplied in the AQAA indicated the electrical, gas and fire systems were serviced at regular intervals. The fire log demonstrated that the staff had received instructions about the fire procedures during their induction. Arrangements were in place to record accidents and incidents in the home and the Commission had been notified as appropriate of any significant event in the home. Care Homes for Older People Page 26 of 29 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 27 of 29 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 1 15 All residents should be closely monitored during meal times, to ensure they receive appropriate assistance and support. Care Homes for Older People Page 28 of 29 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 Older People Page 29 of 29 - 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!