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Inspection on 06/05/09 for New Ridley Road, 27-29

Also see our care home review for New Ridley Road, 27-29 for more information

This inspection was carried out on 6th May 2009.

CQC found this care home to be providing an Adequate service.

The inspector found no outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report, but made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

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

The premises were pleasantly furnished throughout. Each of the bedrooms visited were nicely decorated and furnished. There were no unpleasant odours present in the building.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The new format of the statement of purpose and service users guide will help people to make an informed choice about the home. The redecoration and refurbishment plan for the home provides more comfortable and pleasant surroundings for the people who use the service. Peoples care records contained better information about what choices and decisions people could make. Independent advocates or family had now been used to help identify what support people require to make daily choices and decisions. A recognised system of Person Centred Planning (PCP) has now been introduced within the home. This will help people to receive more individualised support and a better quality of life and experience. People who use the service have more opportunity to live appropriate and fulfilling lifestyles by the development of individual activities, involvement in the community and the support of family relationships. Staff have completed training in person centred planning, mandatory training, activities and health related subjects, this will help provide staff with the skills and knowledge they need to implement PCP and provide more individual care for all service users. Staff are supported by the improvements to management communication and supervisions. The manager has met the outstanding requirements and is developing an open and inclusive management style to enable the home to be run in the best interests of people who use the service.

What the care home could do better:

Improving the quality assurance systems would enable the manager to identify areas for improvement and the quality of the care provided. Testing all fire detection/fighting equipment at appropriate timescales will help protect service users, staff and visitors.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: New Ridley Road, 27-29 27-29 New Ridley Road Stocksfield Northumberland NE43 7EY     The quality rating for this care home is:   one star adequate 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: Mary Blake     Date: 1 2 0 5 2 0 0 9 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. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things 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 Adults (18-65 years) 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 26 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) 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.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 26 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: New Ridley Road, 27-29 27-29 New Ridley Road Stocksfield Northumberland NE43 7EY 01661-844112 01661844113 newlife.care@btinternet.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Newlife Care Services Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of Minster Pathways Limited) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Linda Newton Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 learning disability Additional conditions: All persons may also have a physical disability Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home New Ridley Road comprises two modern semi-detached bungalows connected internally by a communal lounge. The home is set at the head of a private road in its own grounds and provides ground floor accommodation for nine adults with a learning disability, some of whom also have a physical disability. The home was purpose built approximately nine years ago. All bedrooms are for single occupation. Each unit has a kitchen and lounge/dining area. Although there are no en-suite facilities, each bedroom had been fitted with a hand washbasin. The home is close to the centre of Stocksfield, giving easy access to local transport systems, shops, leisure amenities and the wider community. The home does not provide nursing care. 9 Over 65 0 care home 9 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 26 Brief description of the care home The current weekly fees are agreed individually. Additional charges are made for hairdressing, aromatherapy, clothing, leisure activities and toiletries. Copies of the Commissions inspection reports were available to visitors, staff and residents. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 26 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: one star adequate service Choice of home Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: The quality rating for this service is 1 star. This means that the people who use this service experience adequate quality outcomes. Before the visit We looked at the information we have received since the last visit on 2nd June 2008, how the service dealt with any complaints and concerns since the last visit, any changes to how the home is run, the providers view of how well they care for people, the views of people who use the service & their relatives, staff and other professionals. An unannounced visit was made on 6th May 2009 and a further visit was made on 12th May 2009. During the visit we talked with people who use the service, relatives, staff, Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 26 the manager and visitors, looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met, looked at other records which must be kept, checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for, looked around the building/parts of the building to make sure it was clean, safe and comfortable. We told the manager and regional manager what we found. An additional inspection was undertaken by CQC Pharmacist. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? 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.cqc.org.uk. You can get Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 26 printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line –0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 26 Details of our 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) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 26 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, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. 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 the person 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. People who use the service are given the information they need to make a choice and know how their needs will be met. Evidence: The statement of purpose and service user guide had been updated and were now in pictoral format. There had been no new admissions over the past year but the last admission spoke of being able to visit the home, have meals, meet with other people who use the service and staff, stay overnight and for a weekend, before coming to live at the home. He felt this enabled him to be settled and was looking forward to living here. Preadmssion documentation was complete so that staff had sufficient information to meet his needs. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 26 Individual needs and choices 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 needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The system of care planning adopted by the home was improving This meant that New Ridley Road staff have access to clearer guidance about how to meet peoples support needs. People who use the service are now being consulted about or enabled to participate in decisions about their lives. The arrangements in place for assessing the risks posed to people as they lived their daily lives were now adequate so they are not subject to unnecessary risks and potential harm. Evidence: Person centred planning is now being implemented for each individual, these are still in the development stage but good progress is being made. The plan is in pictoral format enabling service users to have more involvement and choice. Staff have Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 26 Evidence: undertaken training in personal centred planning with additional training being provided by the care management team. Staff had an understanding of the plans and how this will help support individuals to have choices and how their needs will be met. The manager is new to post but has made good progress with the implementation of the plans and providing staff training and support in this area. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 26 Lifestyle 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 can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and 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 and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. 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 opportunities for people to develop and maintain social, emotional, communication and independent living skills, were improving. This meant that people were having more positive opportunities to enjoy a full and stimulating lifestyle. People living at the home are provided with a good healthy diet. Evidence: People who use the service are offered the opportunity to join in a range of social and leisure activities. They have the opportunity to use community facilities for leisure activities eg cinema, pub, meals, shopping and the use of suitable taxis service and mini bus was enabling all people who use the service to enjoy activities outside of the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 26 Evidence: People who use the service are offered the opportunity to experience some activities and leisure pursuits as well as supported where necessary to continue with hobbies and interests. Staff assist and encourage people to maintain family links,as agreed, and previous friendships, respecting the individual wishes of people who use the service. People who use the service were observed having a leisurely breakfast, coffee and lunch in a relaxed and social setting with good staff support evident. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 26 Personal and healthcare support 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 receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people 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. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to 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 adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The people who use the service receive personal support the way they prefer and their physical needs are met. Evidence: Some of the people who use the service are given personal choice and support in areas such as getting up, personal care and how they spend their time and this is now being offered for the people with more profound needs, as communication methods are being developed. People who use the service individual health needs are identified and they are supported to access community health services such as doctor, district nurse, dentist and optician. They receive physiotherapy, psychiatry and psychology health support. Staff training has been undertaken to provide awareness and additional support for health related needs. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 26 Evidence: No person who uses the service currently self medicate. An additional inspection was undertaken by the CQC Pharmacist inspector and an additional report outlines his findings. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 26 Concerns, 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. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. 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 arrangements in place for handling complaints were satisfactory. This meant that people could be confident that their complaints would be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. The arrangements for protecting people living at the home from harm or abuse were satisfactory. This meant that people are protected in their own home. Evidence: The complaints procedure provided staff with guidance about how to handle complaints. The most recent admission to the home said that he would be happy to raise any concerns with staff. Other people living at the home were unable to comment. The home had received one complaint since the last inspection and this was appropriately managed. The safeguarding policy provided staff with guidance about how to handle adult protection concerns. There had been no concerns raised with either the home, or the Commission, since the last inspection. All staff had received or were about to have training in the protection of vulnerable adults. Staff were clear on raising any concerns they may have. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 26 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, comfortable, 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. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. 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 facilities are designed to meet the needs of the people who use the service. It is homely, well maintained and clean. Evidence: New Ridley Road was purpose built as a care home to provide personal care and accommodation for up to nine people with learning disabilities. The home has two inter-linked bungalows and runs as one home. New Ridley Road is comfortable and attractively furnished. Bedrooms are well presented and reflect their individual styles and tastes. The home was very clean and tidy. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 26 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, qualified 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. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. 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. There are adequate numbers of appropriately skilled and experienced staff to care for the residents. The recruitment processes in place protect residents. Evidence: Staffing rotas showed that there are now enough staff on duty to meet the necessary staffing levels and that the previous issues with staff has been resolved. Recruitment procedures within the home are safe. Records confirm that appropriate checks are carried out for staff. Applicants for employment complete an application form and two references are obtained. A reference from the last employer is requested, plus another. Any gaps in employment are explored at interview. Each member of staff receives a contract of employment and job description. Discussions with the manager and staff and examination of individual staff training files confirmed that staff had undertaken refresher in mandatory training. Staff said that they are undertaking or had completed National Vocational Qualification in Care level 2 (NVQ) or over, with nine staff having NVQ 2 or above. The home has an induction programme and staff spoke knowledgeably about the individual needs of the people who use the service and were less anxious about the introduction of person Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 26 Evidence: centred planning and associated paperwork. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 26 Conduct and management of the 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 have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because 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. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience adequate quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The views of people who use the service and their families are beginning to be supported to underpin the development of the home. Their health, safety and welfare are not always protected. Evidence: The manager had been in post since the turn of the year and had not yet completed the fit person process with CQC. The manager had introduced positive changes to how the service is ran, she is very person centred in her approach to care practices and this is evident in the developing changes improving individual care. The manager had made good progress in addressing the previous requirements and recommendations. The manager has improved the involvement of services users, families and staff by her open door approach and range of meetings. In house quality audits are in place but need to be further developed. The provider gives good support with appropriate visits being undertaken. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 26 Evidence: Maintenance of equipment and the building was satisfactory providing service users with a safe and comfortable home. Accidents, health and safety matters were addressed improving the safety of people who use the service. Policies, procedures and records were clear and up to date providing additional guidance for staff. Fire drills, risk assessment and training was satisfactory but testing of equipment had been sporadic this could put people who use the service, staff and visitors at risk. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 26 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 26 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 1 42 13 The registered person must ensure that fire detection equipment is tested weekly To ensure all fire detecting equipment is working and improve safety for people in the home 01/07/2009 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 39 To review and update quality assurance systems Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 26 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 or Textphone: or 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 summary in a different format or language please contact our helpline or go to our website. Copyright © (2009) Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). 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