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Inspection on 27/10/05 for Polesworth Group Pooley Heights

Also see our care home review for Polesworth Group Pooley Heights for more information

This inspection was carried out on 27th October 2005.

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.

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 home continues to provide a valuable respite service for local people who need and benefit from such a service. It provides a friendly, well-organised service on a homely, domestic scale, in which people using the service readily feel comfortable and at ease. All the people stopping at the home declared that they happy with their time spent at Pooley Heights. Staff were very positive about the service provided and about their work.

What has improved since the last inspection?

The home continues to provide an excellent service. On this occasion, a completely different set of residents to those spoken to before were seen to be comfortably enjoying their stay.

What the care home could do better:

Although staff were confidently able to discuss the needs of the people stopping at the time, and how their needs are met, it may be beneficial to ensure that new, relevant information noted in daily records is at some point included in an appropriate part of an individual`s plan. A simple example of this would be where, say, staff have found that someone likes a particular breakfast cereal, or does not like going on a particular activity.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights Pooley Heights Polesworth Staffordshire B78 1JA Lead Inspector Martin Brown Unannounced Inspection 27th October 2005 3:30 Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Adults 18-65. 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. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights Address Pooley Heights Polesworth Staffordshire B78 1JA 01827 894197 01827 892500 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) Polesworth Group Homes Limited Mrs Elizabeth Boucher Care Home 6 Category(ies) of Learning disability (6), Physical disability (1) registration, with number of places Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 20th June 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Pooley Heights is part of the Polesworth Group Homes Ltd. The company was established in June 1991 with the aim of providing accommodation and support to people with learning disabilities. Pooley Heights is a large, detached bungalow in a rural setting on the outskirts of the village of Polesworth near Tamworth. Many local shops and services are within walking distance. The service provides five planned short stay and one emergency care places. There are around forty service users who have regular short stays. The property has been extended to provide four single bedrooms and one double bedroom. Three single bedrooms and the double bedroom have en-suite facilities and the fifth bedroom is adjacent to a bathroom that includes corner bath, shower, toilet and basin. There is a garden backing onto open fields that has a decked area and lawns with flowerbeds. There are level walkways in the garden with wheelchair access and ramps. There is an eight seater People Carrier that provides transport for the service users and public transport also passes the end of the road. All placements at Pooley Heights are currently commissioned by Warwickshire Social Services. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced inspection on Thursday afternoon, lasting two hours. Two staff were present, and all five people currently stopping at the home were seen and spoken with. All were welcoming and helpful. As all the core standards were looked at earlier in the year, and because the home was able to exhibit a high standard in meeting them all, this inspection was able to focus on meeting staff and users of the service, and looking at any issues raised by them. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Although staff were confidently able to discuss the needs of the people stopping at the time, and how their needs are met, it may be beneficial to ensure that new, relevant information noted in daily records is at some point included in an appropriate part of an individual’s plan. A simple example of this would be where, say, staff have found that someone likes a particular breakfast cereal, or does not like going on a particular activity. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 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. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR 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) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 5 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Prospective users’ individual aspirations and needs are assessed. Prospective service users know that the home that they will choose will meet their needs and aspirations. Prospective service users have an opportunity to visit and to “test drive” the home. Each service user has an individual written contract or statement of terms and conditions with the home. The Commission consider Standard 2 the key standard to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): EVIDENCE: These standards were met at the previous inspection, and not looked at on this occasion. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 Individual Needs and Choices The intended outcomes for Standards 6 – 10 are: 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Service users know their assessed and changing needs and personal goals are reflected in their individual Plan. Service users make decisions about their lives with assistance as needed. Service users are consulted on, and participate in, all aspects of life in the home. Service users are supported to take risks as part of an independent lifestyle. Service users know that information about them is handled appropriately, and that their confidences are kept. The Commission considers Standards 6, 7 and 9 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 6 Recording information gleaned in daily notes as part of the care plan, may ensure such information is not ‘lost’ and might better help the home in meeting people’s needs in the future. EVIDENCE: Individual plans for some of the people currently using the service were looked at. These had good clear daily recordings, in which useful information had been found out and recorded, about, most typically, particular likes and dislikes of which staff may have been unaware. Some of this did not appear to be recorded elsewhere. Risk assessments are in the process of being revised, in the light of a recommendation from the previous inspection. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 Lifestyle The intended outcomes for Standards 11 - 17 are: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Service users have opportunities for personal development. Service users are able to take part in age, peer and culturally appropriate activities. Service users are part of the local community. Service users engage in appropriate leisure activities. Service users have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. Service users’ rights are respected and responsibilities recognised in their daily lives. Service users are offered a healthy diet and enjoy their meals and mealtimes. The Commission considers Standards 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 17 Service users continue to enjoy their stay at Pooley Heights. EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not fully assessed on this occasion. Service users spoke about their interests, which the home strove to cater for during their stay. One service user was enjoying dancing to music in her bedroom. All were later enjoying their tea in a relaxed, ‘family’ manner, eating an appetising, freshly-prepared meal. A good variety of wholesome food continues to be available. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 Personal and Healthcare Support The intended outcomes for Standards 18 - 21 are: 18. 19. 20. 21. Service users receive personal support in the way they prefer and require. Service users’ physical and emotional health needs are met. Service users retain, administer and control their own medication where appropriate, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. The ageing, illness and death of a service user are handled with respect and as the individual would wish. The Commission considers Standards 18, 19, and 20 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19 The home continues to work well to meet individual needs. Although the care for one person who been at the home for several months was of a high standard, and may well have been more beneficial for her than other available alternatives, the home should carefully consider whether such placements in the future are appropriate, whether they conflict with the home’s primary aim of providing short-term, time-limited respite, and what can be done about this. EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not fully assessed on this occasion. Good, clear guidelines were seen for individual service users; staff were knowledgeable about these. It was noted that one person had been at the home since August, on the ‘emergency bed’ basis, awaiting a permanent place elsewhere, and had a date for this the following month. She stated that she was happy here, but was looking forward to her move to a permanent home. Staff wondered whether she had felt uncomfortable being in ‘respite’ for so long, whilst others were only here for a few days generally, but there were no obvious signs of this. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Concerns, Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 22 – 23 are: 22. 23. Service users feel their views are listened to and acted on. Service users are protected from abuse, neglect and self-harm. The Commission considers Standards 22, and 23 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not assessed on this occasion, other than to note positive comments by those stopping at the home. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 24 – 30 are: 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users live in a homely, comfortable and safe environment. Service users’ bedrooms suit their needs and lifestyles. Service users’ bedrooms promote their independence. Service users’ toilets and bathrooms provide sufficient privacy and meet their individual needs. Shared spaces complement and supplement service users’ individual rooms. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. The home is clean and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 24, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 24 Service users continue to benefit from being able to stay in a safe, comfortable and homely environment. EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not fully assessed on this occasion, other than to note that the high standards of décor and maintenance continue. One service user was happy to show me his room, in which he had his music plugged in. Another had converted her room into an impromptu dance room. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 36 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Service users benefit from clarity of staff roles and responsibilities. Service users are supported by competent and qualified staff. Service users are supported by an effective staff team. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Service users’ individual and joint needs are met by appropriately trained staff. Service users benefit from well supported and supervised staff. The Commission considers Standards 32, 34 and 35 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 33 The people stopping at the home continue to be supported by an effective staff team, who are positive in outlook, highly motivated, and receive all necessary training. EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not fully assessed on this occasion. Staff on duty were very positive and knowledgeable about their roles within the organisation, stated that they were receiving appropriate and relevant training, and were completing LDAF and National Vocational Qualification training respectively. Staff and service users appeared thoroughly at ease with each other. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 Conduct and Management of the Home The intended outcomes for Standards 37 – 43 are: 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. Service users benefit from a well run home. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. Service users are confident their views underpin all self-monitoring, review and development by the home. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s policies and procedures. 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 are promoted and protected. Service users benefit from competent and accountable management of the service. The Commission considers Standards 37, 39, and 42 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 37,42 The home continues to be well-run and to operate in a safe, but homely, manner. EVIDENCE: These standards were met during the previous inspection, and were not fully assessed on this occasion. Neither the manager nor the deputy manager were present during this unannounced inspection. Staff were aware of fire safety procedures, observations showed kitchen and laundry areas to be operating safely and hygienically. Following a recommendation from the previous inspection, I was advised that the deputy manager is to apply for the position of manager. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults 18-65 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 CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 Score X X X X x Standard No 22 23 Score x x ENVIRONMENT INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score 3 X X X x Standard No 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 STAFFING Score 4 x x x x x x LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X 16 X 17 Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 Score x x 4 x x x CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME 3 PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights Score X 3 x x Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score 3 x x x x x x DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 no Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action There are no requirements following this inspection. RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1. 2. Refer to Standard YA6 YA19 Good Practice Recommendations It is recommended that information recorded in daily records is incorporated into general care plan information where relevant. It is recommended that the home considers the appropriateness in future of someone staying at the home for several months, when all other service users tend to be there for a week or so at most. Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 Commission for Social Care Inspection Leamington Spa Office Imperial Court Holly Walk Leamington Spa CV32 4YB National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 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 Polesworth Group - Pooley Heights DS0000004282.V260680.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 - 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. 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