Inspection on 13/11/08 for Richardson Court Cottage

This inspection was carried out on 13th November 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.

Other inspections for this house

Richardson Court Cottage 13/02/06

Richardson Court Cottage 28/07/05

Richardson Court Cottage 10/02/05

Richardson Court Cottage 10/05/04

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Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 27/02/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Richardson Court Cottage Main Road Sellindge Ashford Kent TN25 6JX     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: Geoffrey Senior     Date: 1 3 1 1 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. 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 25 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.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 25 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Richardson Court Cottage Main Road Sellindge Ashford Kent TN25 6JX 01303814821 01303814736 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Counticare Ltd care home 3 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 0 learning disability Additional conditions: 3 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is 3. The registered person may provide the following category/ies of service only: Care home only - (PC) to service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability (LD). Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Richardson Court Cottage provides residential care for up to 3 adults with a learning disability. The home is owned by Counticare Ltd who are providers of approximately 14 services throughout the East Kent area. The Home is situated in the village of Sellindge, some 15 minutes drive from the town of Ashford where there is a variety of amenities such as shops, swimming pool, a cinema, churches, pubs, clubs and colleges . The home has access to a minibus and other vehicles owned by the company. Residents also make use of the day centre owned by the company. Richardson Court Cottage is a detached house which comprises individual bedrooms for each resident, a lounge, kitchen, dining room and office. There are large gardens surrounding the house, which is available for residents use and there is a large parking area to the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 25 Brief description of the care home front and side of the property. Staffing comprises the registered manager and support staff. Fees for this home range between #900 and #1200 with additional charges for hairdressing, additional toiletries and some leisure pursuits. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 25 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 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: This was an unannounced visit undertaken 13th November 2008 as part of the key inspection of the service. The visit lasted for about five hours. We spoke with the Manager, staff members and observed interactions with service users. We looked at a range of documentation and records. We also considered information forwarded to the Commission in the Annual Quality Assurance Self Assessment completed by the Manager. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 25 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.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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 25 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 8 of 25 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. Prospective service users and their representatives may visit the home before admission and are provided with information to help them make a decision about moving in. Assessments are undertaken to ensure that the Home can support the service users needs. Evidence: There have been no recent admission to the home. The Manager reported that there are no changes to the existing admissions procedure. People who are interested in living at Richardson Court or Cottage are invited to visit the home with their family and their representatives prior to admission. They may use the opportunity to meet and spend time with the existing service users and staff, view the accommodation and find out about the routine and lifestyle they could expect to experience at the home Assessments are undertaken prior to, and subsequent to admission as part of the care planning process. Senior staff may visit the prospective client in their current accommodation as part of the assessment. Input is welcomed from the service users Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 25 Evidence: and families and from relevant agencies and professionals. Needs and aspirations are identified and, where possible and achievable, appropriate support is planned. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 25 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 good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The care planning system is generally clear and consistent and provides staff with information and guidance when supporting residents. The introduction of a more person centred approach has led to aspirations being identified and supported. Risk assessments are undertaken in order that service users can participate in activities with the appropriate level of support and supervision. Evidence: The manager has been proactive and innovative, has introduced an entirely new format for care plans and risk assessments and new ideas which have been met with a mixed reception until their value was demonstrated. The home has in place, well-structured and informative client files. The content helps new and existing staff to better understand and effectively support the needs of service users. Staff are well informed and aware of the service users individual support needs. They are confident in their approach to service users and their response to idiosyncrasies Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 25 Evidence: was entirely consistent. Service user family members are invited to contribute to the planning process and their views are positively considered and acted upon. Service users are helped, as far as possible; to make day-to-day decisions affecting their lives with regard to activities, outings, routines and food choices amongst other things. Service users were observed expressing preferences and making choicesaround the mealtime. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 25 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. Service users are supported to participate in a variety of in house and community based activities chosen by them. The meals in the home offer service users choice, variety and consider any special needs Service users are supported and helped to maintain contact with families and friends. Evidence: Staff in the home have worked positively with the service users to establish interests, likes, dislikes and abilities. The service users have a well established pattern of activity. They go to a local Day Care and Activity Centre in Folkestone. Use is also made of the local community facilities such as the Village drop in centre and pub. Further afield people may use the Leeds Castle and Rare breeds animal centre passes. Small group holidays are cuirrently at the planning stage. People may do as they please with their leisure time but are expected and encouraged to participate in the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 25 Evidence: running of the house and help with daily chores such as food preparation and meal clearing. Visitors are encouraged and made to feel welcome at the home. Restrictions are placed only in accordance with the wishes of, and convenience to, the Service User. The staff keep in contact with families to update them on progress and changes. The Service User group is generally well established and the staff are aware of food likes, dislikes and preferences. Meals provided are mainly based on these wishes, but also take into account the need for a reasonably balanced diet. Service Users also get involved in the shopping for supplies and in meal preparation. People are encouraged to sit and take a meal as together as a group. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 25 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 good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Service users privacy and dignity is respected. Healthcare needs are monitored and addressed Systems are in place for the safe management and administration of medication Evidence: Service users are encouraged to express preferences they may have about their personal care and support, choice of clothing, lifestyle and daily routines. Service users were observed being supported in expressing preferences. Records seen indicated that service users health care needs are monitored and addressed. Various health professionals are involved with the service users and are contacted for advice and consultation as necessary. The medication records and storage facilities are adequate for the immediate needs of the home. Records were clear and up to date. The Manager reported that all staff that are involved with medication are appropriately trained and competent. She is the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 25 Evidence: Organisations Medication trainer for the south east area. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 25 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. Systems are in place to protect the service users from the risk of harm Evidence: Written information relating to concerns and complaints is available to interested parties.Staff have received training and written information is available to them on adult protection, whistle blowing and the management of aggressive behaviours. Staff spoken to were clear about their responsibilities with regard to protecting people in their care. The home has introduced one to one time for service users to spend with keyworkers and highlight any areas of concern. The staff recruitment process includes obtaining references and Police checks before commencing duties. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 25 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. Service users are offered a comfortable, homely and safe environment in which to live Evidence: The premises are comfortably furnished and well decorated. It is bright and homely and there is an adequate amount of communal space. A number of photo and information boards are on display as aids to communicating various activities, menus and a reminder of staff on duty. Service users rooms are decorated and furnished according to choice and have personal items on display. The extensive grounds and garden is accessible and reportedly well used for leisure and growing vegetables. Information received prior to the visit indicated that maintenance and service checks are satisfactory and up to date and systems are in place relating to infection control. A maintenance team is available to effect any repairs necessary.The home would benefit from an additional dryer in the laundry as back up, given that the current one is shared between two properties. The Manager agreed to risk assess the radiator surface temperatures and take appropriate action. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 25 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. Service users are supported by sufficient numbers of well-informed staff.There is a robust recruitment and staff checking procedure before commencement of duties. Evidence: Staff clearly knew the service users well and how to respond appropriately to their idiosyncrasies. There was a good deal of friendly, non-patronising banter observed. The small group of service users and staff means that there is often opportunity for one to one support for general activities and for identified goals. There are usually three staff working each shift in the House and one in the Cottage and staff on the premises overnight. The home benefits from a blend of youth and experience with a senior member on duty at all times. The Organisation offers a staff development programme. Staff are supported through the induction process which is then followed by mandatory and service specific training. There are twelve staff members, four have attained NVQ level 3, one has started a level 3 course, three have attained level 2 and one has commenced level 2. Three are undertaking LDQ induction training. Staff records seen indicated a thorough recruitment procedure. This includes obtaining Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 25 Evidence: satisfactory references and Criminal Record Bureau checks. Service users may are involved in the selection procedure and may have some influence on the appointments. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 25 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 good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The home is adequately managed and provides a caring and supportive service. The views of service users, families and other interested parties are to be sought and formally recorded as part of the quality assurance system.Systems are in place to promote the health and welfare of the people who live at the home Evidence: The manager presents as a well-motivated and informed individual who has worked hard to develop an open and inclusive atmosphere in the home. The manager organises her work so that she can spend a reasonable amount of time at floor level as well as the completion of administrative and supervisory tasks. The home is visited on a regular basis by a representative of the providers. They and the manager are clearly committed to maintaining standards and seeking ways to improve the service The manager reported that service users and family as well as staff members are regularly consulted and have ample opportunity to contribute to the decision making process. The staff feel that the home is run in the best interests of the Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 25 Evidence: people who live there. The health, safety and welfare of all is promoted and protected. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 25 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 23 of 25 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 Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 25 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 © (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. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 25 - 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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