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Inspection on 19/10/09 for Flaxman Avenue (77) - City of York Council

Also see our care home review for Flaxman Avenue (77) - City of York Council for more information

This inspection was carried out on 19th October 2009.

It is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.

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.

Annual service review Name of Service: Flaxman Avenue (77) - City of York Council The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: 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 review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.   Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?   No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Anne Prankitt Date of this annual service review: 1 9 1 0 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 7 Information about the service Address of service: 77 Flaxman Avenue Tang Hall York North Yorkshire YO10 3TW 01904426428 F/P01904426428 carole.aherne@york.gov.uk www.york.gov.uk City of York Council Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:   Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 6 0 Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: A new responsible individual has been appointed on behalf of the organisation. Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Flaxman Avenue is registered to provide residential, personal, and social care on a respite basis for up to six adults with learning disabilities. Two of the beds are for emergency admissions and whilst people can be provisionally booked into them as part of their rolling respite programme, it is on the understanding that if an emergency situation arises, the respite stay may be cancelled at short notice. The home is a single storey purpose built property owned by the City of York Council. All of the bedrooms are for single occupancy, three have en-suite bathrooms and three have en-suite toilets. There is currently a six-person day service being run from the lounge at the front of the home. This is staffed separately from the care service and finishes at 3.30pm so does not interfere with the respite care provision in the home. Annual Service Review Page 2 of 7 The home is located on the outskirts of York city centre, in a residential area, with good access to the citys services and amenities. There is a large car park to the front of the home and an enclosed garden at the back of the property. The registered manager should be approached for information about fees, and what people pay extra for. The service has a statement of purpose that explains the aims, objectives and philosophies of the home and this is available in alternative formats. The most recent inspection report is made available to anyone who wishes to see it. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 7 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review: What did we do for this annual service review? The last key inspection took place on 11 September 2007. As part of this review, we looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last Annual Service Review, which took place on 16 September 2008. This included: The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. We sent six surveys to people who use the service, (two returned) and their families (three returned). We also sent surveys to health professionals who support people (three returned), and to staff (none returned). Information we have about how the service has managed any complaints. What the service has told us about things that have happened in the service. The previous key inspection. As well as the above, we completed a risk assessment of the service to ensure we had enough information about the service to determine the quality rating has not changed in the last twelve months. What has this told us about the service? The service sent us their Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was clear, and gave us most of the information we asked for, or needed. We looked at the information in the AQAA and our judgement is that the service is still providing a good service and that they know what further improvements they need to make. The AQAA tells us that in the last year the service has improved by the recruitment of some excellent staff. It states that staff now get more training and supervision, and their work is more regularly appraised. It also informs us that some excellent work has been completed in the provision of services for those admitted in an emergency, and for people to improve their daily living skills, so they can move into their own supported living accommodation. Only a small number of surveys were returned to us prior to this review. And the registered manager identified in the AQAA that she needs to establish better ways of collecting peoples views. This is something she is in the process of developing. Doing so will help to make sure that the service is run based on peoples views. She told us however that she holds monthly meetings for people. So we asked for a copy of the minutes from the most recent meetings, to see how peoples views were currently considered. Annual Service Review Page 4 of 7 One person using the service who returned their survey said The home makes me feel safe, and I can meet new friends and old, and have some good days and nights with everyone. They continued that they were satisfied with all aspects that the home provides. Both people said they can usually make decisions about what they do each day. They agreed that staff always or usually treat them well. Both agreed however that staff always listen and act on what they say. One relative said in their survey that staff and management are very good and supportive of needs. However, they said the home could do better if they could Retain staff who are aware of special needs. They continued Temp/agency staff do not seem to have the same commitment or desire as retained staff. In the past year, the service has tried to employ permanent staff, to fill the vacancies that have arisen. There has been some success, although there are still one and a half vacancies to fill, and the registered manager is trying to recruit into these. Once this recruitment is complete, and the staff established, it will be better for people, because they will get care from staff they know well, and who understand their needs in more detail. It will also mean that the registered managers time is freed up to concentrate on her management duties. Another relative said The service provides all our needs to an excellent standard. We are satisfied with the service received. Social and health professionals made some positive comments about the service, including The staff take time to get to know their customers, how they communicate, the way they like to have personal care. If the staff are unsure they seek out guidance and information. Very good at responding to emergencies. Consistent staffing. And Provide respite care for people with complex learning and physical disabilities. We discussed with the registered manager one comment, that staff could make sure that they share information given to them, and that they could pass on their views more about specific activities for customers. The registered manager told us how she dealt with a safeguarding matter, and the outcome of this investigation, which was completed last year. The service has received one complaint in the last year. The registered manager explained how she had resolved this to the satisfaction of the complainant. However, one person who returned their survey, and two relatives, said that they do not know how to make a complaint. Although, the relatives said that the service always or sometimes responded well if they raised concerns. This was discussed with the registered manager, who said that complaints leaflets are available around the home, and that the procedure is included in the service users guide, and displayed at the service. She could remind people at the next meeting about how to complain, or ask whether people are clear about how to make a formal complaint, when she asks for feedback from people each time they stay at Flaxman Avenue. The service has told us about most things which have happened there since our last Annual Service Review. We reminded the registered manager to let us know when people have been admitted to hospital, because we had not been told about some of these events at the time they happened. She told us straight away about three recent medication errors, and the action taken to prevent any further from occuring. However, we have reminded the registered manager she should always refer any medication Annual Service Review Page 5 of 7 incident to the persons doctor, so they can decide themselves whether they need to review the person. The registered manager has told us she has now done this. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? It is our statutory responsibility to inspect all care services at least once every three years. The completion of the Risk Assessment and the Annual Service Review has not changed our view of the quality rating of the service therefore we are not planning to inspect this service before 10 September 2010. However, we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service, or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 6 of 7 Reader Information Document Purpose: Author: Audience: Further copies from: Annual service review CQC General Public 0870 240 7535 (national contact centre) Our duty to regulate social care services is set out in the Care Standards Act 2000. The content of which can be found on our website. Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.org.uk We want people to be able to access this information. If you would like a copy of the findings in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Annual Service Review Page 7 of 7 - 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!