Inspection on 24/10/06 for Harper House

This inspection was carried out on 24th October 2006.

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.

Other inspections for this house

Harper House 16/10/07

Harper House 18/01/06

Harper House 02/08/05

Harper House 06/10/04

Harper House 21/06/04

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

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Harper House 1 Moathouse Lane West Wednesfield Wolverhampton West Midlands WV11 3HB Lead Inspector Mike Moloney Key Announced Inspection 24th October 2006 10:30 X10015.doc Version 1.40 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 Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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 Older People. 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. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Harper House Address 1 Moathouse Lane West Wednesfield Wolverhampton West Midlands WV11 3HB 01902-731732 01902-731732 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) Miss Gail Louise Harper Julie Dawn Fraser Care Home 13 Category(ies) of Dementia (13), Mental disorder, excluding registration, with number learning disability or dementia (13), Old age, of places not falling within any other category (13) Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. The home may accommodate a maximum of 13 Service Users The home may accommodate a maximum of 13 persons with mental disorder or dementia requiring personal care, the remainder being persons who are over 65 years who do not fall within any other category. The client group of MD Mental disorder is for adults aged 55 years and over. The home may accommodate one (1) Service User age 52 years under the MD category. 18th January 2006 3. 4. Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Harper House, formerly known as Margaret House, was first registered as a care home in 1986. It provides care for thirteen people who have a mental disorder with the majority of the service users being over the age of 65. The home is a detached building which was adapted from terraced houses. It is situated one mile from the centre of Wednesfield and three miles from the centre of Wolverhampton. There are good public transport links. There are a number of local shops and public houses nearby. There is a small courtyard to the rear of the property. Further information is available in the home’s service user guide. The fees range from £307 per week to £387 per week. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The home received 24 hours notice of this visit. A range of evidence was used to make judgements about this service. This includes: information from the provider, records kept in the home, medication records, discussions with the manager, the staff team, a tour of the premises, previous inspection reports and talking with as well as observing the care experienced by people using the service. The inspector was assisted in this by Jean Haldane who is an ‘Expert by Experience’. CSCI are trying to improve the way we engage with people who use services so we gain a real understanding of their views and experiences of social care services. We are currently testing a method of working where ‘experts by experience’ are an important part of the inspection team and help inspectors get a picture of what it is like to live in or use a social care service. The term ‘experts by experience’ used in this report describes people whose knowledge about social care services comes directly from using them. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Since the last inspection a higher proportion of the staff have achieved NVQ2 or above in care ensuring that they have more skills to help them to meet the needs of the service users. Pre-employment checks on staff are now more rigorously carried out helping to ensure that any new employee is fit to work with vulnerable people. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR 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) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 3 Quality in this outcome area is good. Prospective residents and their representatives have the information needed to choose a home which will meet their needs. They have their needs assessed and a contract which clearly tells them about the service they will receive. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. This home does not offer intermediate care. EVIDENCE: The records of one new service user was looked at. A local authority assessment of need was seen to have been carried out and the home had also carried out their own assessment that contained all of the information necessary to establish whether or not the home could meet that person’s needs. The home’s diary showed that he had visited the home for tea visits before he agreed to move there. The manager also explained the importance of making sure that any potential service user would fit into the existing group of residents. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7, 8, 9 and 10 Quality in this outcome area is good. The health and personal care, which a resident receives is based on their individual needs. The principles of respect, dignity and privacy are put into practice. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: Two of the service users’ files were looked at and care plans had been developed for them. Issues identified in reviews were each identified on an individual sheet with review dates for each item. How the identified need should be met was clearly outlined. Each service user had a full risk assessment that identified such things as smoking and it’s attendant risks. A number of the service users said that they had been given support by the home in giving this up. Various records such as weight and appointments charts were seen that showed that the healthcare needs of the service users are monitored and the appropriate action taken when necessary. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 Medication storage and records were seen to be appropriate and discussions with the manager, her staff and looking at the training records showed that there was an ongoing programme of training in the safe handling of medication in place for the staff. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 14 and 15 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents are able to choose their life style, social activity and keep in contact with family and friends. Social, cultural and recreational activities meet residents’ expectations. Residents receive a healthy, varied diet according to their assessed requirement and choice. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: Most of the service users spoken to expressed a reluctance take part in activities that were offered to them being happy to watch television or go out to the shops although there were exceptions to this as one of the residents goes out regularly with his friend to the gym or the cinema. Another spoke of going out to the pub, shopping and liking spending time in his room. The manager did say that she would like to encourage the service users to be more active and a new senior member of the care staff has been given the task of identifying activities for each person and encouraging them to take part. It must also be acknowledged that the conditions of residency at the home either placed them on or agreed with the some individuals do restrict the opportunities that they may be offered. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 The service users also talked about visits by and to their relatives and friends. Smoking was restricted to the conservatory and the remaining smokers were happy to accept this. Staff were seen knocking on bedroom doors prior to entering during the tour of the building. Service users are given a choice of food, taking into account the need for nutritional balance and residents were talking about how much they enjoy the meals on offer with one person describing the food as ‘tasty’ and the meal seen looked so. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16 and 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. Residents have access to a robust, effective complaints procedure and are protected from abuse. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The home was seen to have a complaints procedure and a complaints book although none had been received since the last inspection. The home was seen to have policies and procedures that were appropriate for the protection of the vulnerable adults living at the home. The home does store cash for some of the service users. One set of records were checked against the money kept and these were found to be accurate. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 and 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. The physical design and layout of the home enables residents to live in a safe, well-maintained and comfortable environment. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The décor in the lounge and dining rooms is modern and the furniture comfortable, both have up to date laminate flooring which service users said they preferred to the carpets that it replaced. There is a large widescreen television in the lounge which is very appropriate to the size of the room. Bedrooms are clean and well furnished; the beds have duvets and there is appropriate floor covering in individual rooms and in the corridor. No criticism can be directed toward the accommodation in terms of cleanliness and standard of furnishings but walls, especially upstairs are bare and it is suggested that more pictures and soft furnishings would enhance the warmth Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 and comfortable atmosphere. The manager said that the planned redecoration of the bedroom areas would present a good opportunity for service users to exercise personal choice in terms of décor. There is a separate smoking room in the form of a conservatory for the only two smokers in Harper House. The smoking and outside areas have decking and there is outside furniture for the finer weather. The home has an appropriately equipped laundry room which also contains the store for hazardous materials. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27, 28, 29 and 30 Quality in this outcome area is good. Staff in the home are trained, skilled and in sufficient numbers to fill the aims of the home and meet the changing needs of residents. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The records of staff recruited since the last inspection were seen and those records showed that the appropriate interviews and checks were carried out to establish that any person who had been recruited was suitable to work with vulnerable people. The records also showed that new recruits receive an appropriate training package. Talking with the staff and the manager and looking at the records showed that just under 50 of the staff team have achieved NVQ 2 or above in care and others are undergoing the training. Looking at the staff rota and talking with the staff established that there are appropriate numbers of staff available to meet the day to day needs of the service users. The manager did say, however, that she was in discussions with one placing authority as it was not currently possible to provide appropriate staffing to meet all of the social needs of one person who needs extra levels of support and supervision particularly for holidays. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Service users were very complimentary about the staff saying that they were kind, caring and supportive and this was seen to be the case as was the positive interaction observed between staff and service users. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. 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 and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35, 36 and 38 Quality in this outcome area is adequate. The management and administration of the home is based on openness and respect and has effective quality assurance systems developed by a qualified, competent manager. However, the safety of the service users would be enhanced by the development of risk assessments for the use of hazardous substances and the regular training of staff in fire procedures. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The manager is currently studying for her Registered Manager’s Award, the qualification considered to be appropriate for managers of this type of service and hopes to complete this by Easter of next year. She has been registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection since the last inspection. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 Talking to the service users confirmed that the home’s owner visits very regularly and it was seen that they have a very relaxed relationship with her and approach her easily with their problems. Various records such as the Fire Equipment Test Log, the portable appliance test records and the hot water temperature records were seen to be up to date and action taken where necessary, however, whilst the data sheets were seen for the hazardous substances kept in the home the risk assessments for each of the products were not. The records relating to the mandatory training for the staff were seen and these showed that all but the fire training were up to date. The records also showed that the staff receive regular professional supervision. As stated elsewhere in this report the handling of service users’ cash was checked and found to be acceptable. Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People 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 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 x x 3 x x N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 x 18 3 3 x x x x x x 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 x 3 x 3 3 x 2 Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? no 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 OP38 Regulation 13(3) Requirement The home must develop risk assessments for all hazardous substances used and kept in the home. The staff must receive appropriate fire training twice a year. Timescale for action 31/01/07 2 OP38 23(4)(d) 31/01/07 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection Shrewsbury Local Office 1st Floor, Chapter House South Abbey Lawn Abbey Foregate SHREWSBURY SY2 5DE National Enquiry Line: 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 © 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 Harper House DS0000059887.V297484.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 - 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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