Inspection on 18/04/07 for The Corner House

This inspection was carried out on 18th April 2007.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is (sorry - unknown). 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

The Corner House 27/10/05

The Corner House 27/07/05

The Corner House 18/10/04

The Corner House 16/04/04

Similar services:

Claremont House

Oak Ridge

Sun Court Nursing Home

Ashville House

Bilney Hall

Hill Barn

Mabbs Hall Nursing Home

Henrietta House

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE The Corner House 67/69 Wash Lane Clacton On Sea Essex CO15 1DB Lead Inspector Sara Naylor-Wild Key Unannounced Inspection 18th April 2007 09:30 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 The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.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. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service The Corner House Address 67/69 Wash Lane Clacton On Sea Essex CO15 1DB 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) 01255 432415 01255 474120 Mr Madan Lal Jagota Mr Sanjay Jagota, Mr Rahul Jagota Mrs Ethna Harbrow Care Home 57 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (1), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (57) of places The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. 2. 3. Persons of either sex, aged 65 years and over, who require care by reason of old age only (not to exceed 57 persons) One person, aged 65 years and over, who requires care by reason of dementia, whose name was made known to the Commission in April 2006 The total number of service users accommodated in the home must not exceed 57 persons 4th January 2007 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: The Corner House is a care home for older people located in a residential area of Clacton-on-sea. The home is close to the seafront promenade and within walking distance of the town centre shops. There is an established older part to the home and a new extension. Overall the home can accommodate 56 people over the age of 65 years of age. The majority of the rooms are for single occupancy, with five double rooms; most rooms have en-suite facilities. Bedrooms are located on the ground and first floors with access to the first floor by a passenger lift or stairs. There are two dining areas and five lounges in total. The home has well-maintained gardens, which are laid to lawn with shrub borders. Parking is available at the front and side of the property as well as unrestricted parking on the street outside. The weekly charge as quoted in the home’s Pre Inspection Questionnaire is between £400.00 and £440.00 per week. Additional charges to residents include hairdressing, newspapers, chiropody and toiletries. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced key inspection visit and took place over two days on 18th and 25th April 2007. Thirty of the thirty-eight standards were considered at this inspection. A thematic inspection of the service was carried out on 4th January 2007. A thematic inspection is a short, focused inspection that looks in detail at a specific theme. This inspection looked at the quality of information given to people about the care home and whether people experience open and fair conditions of care. The findings of that inspection have been incorporated into this report along with any updated information in respect of the issues considered. Prior to the site visit the home had submitted a pre-inspection questionnaire (PIQ), and provided additional information that assisted with the inspection process. At the site visit a tour of the premises took place, care, staff, medication and other records and documentation were selected and various elements of these assessed. During the second visit to the home the inspector attended an afternoon tea with some residents and was able to discuss with them how they experienced the home and the issues they felt were important. The inspector was assisted at the site visit by the registered manager and other members of the staff team. Feedback on findings was given during the visit with the opportunity for discussion or clarification. The inspector would like to thank the manager, staff team, residents, relatives and visiting professionals for their help throughout the inspection process. What the service does well: Information given to prospective residents was good and helped them make choices about their admission. The process of admission included a thorough assessment process that ensured that the home was clear about the individuals needs and that the service had capacity to meet these. This ensures that admissions are well planned and that the resident can be confident that the home will meet their needs. The care planning documentation introduced at the last inspection in 2005 had been embedded into the way in which the home understood residents’ daily routine, and provided staff with a good understanding of how they should support the individual during their day. The development of this tool is ongoing and the manager and staff demonstrated a good understanding of how the The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 quality of information could be improved to benefit residents and staff in delivering care. The residents spoken with were proud of the home and the way of life it provided them with. Statements included “it’s like staying with friends” and “staff treat you as an individual with respect” and “You will not find anywhere as good as here” They appreciated the choices in how they spent their day and the opportunities for activity and stimulation, although some suggestions were made to enhance this further. The service has a particularly good relationship with Help the Aged, that has benefited the service in supporting residents social and emotional needs, through befriending services, contribution to large scale entertainment, and other ongoing initiatives. The drive and commitment of the registered manager was apparent in this initiative and in other aspects of the development of a high quality service. What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Some minor issues relating to the development of good practice in care planning, activities and residents finance records were raised with the manager at the inspection. However two of the issues had been addressed immediately and were resolved a the second visit to the home, and the inspector is satisfied that the manager had a good understanding of how activities could be enhanced, and along with the support of the Help the Aged would be able to address this standard. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 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. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 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 The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 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): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Prospective residents are informed about the service and can be confident that the staff will understand their needs and abilities. EVIDENCE: The thematic inspection carried out at the home in January 2007 looked in detail at the arrangements made to inform prospective residents about the home, and the way in which the service gathered information about the individuals needs prior to their agreement to provide accommodation. The report of that visit stated that “the home provides a comprehensive package of information for prospective service users and every service user receives a copy of the Service User guide, which is available in a large print version. The Service User Guide clearly sets out what is provided by the The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 home. Service users spoken with on the day of the inspection visit all said that arrangements for moving into the home had been made by relatives. One service user said that they were confident in their relative’s ability to make an appropriate choice on their behalf and trusted the relative’s judgement totally. Relatives of the three service users spoken with were contacted and all confirmed that they had visited the home and received the information they needed. The relative of one service user said Essex Social Services had given them a limited choice but, as they had used Corner House for respite care, they were pleased that this was one of the choices. The relative of one service user who is self-funding approached a number of homes directly, phoning first then visiting before making a choice.” Discussions with the manger and residents at this visit confirmed that residents felt that they had been well informed about the home and how it operates, and had been given opportunity to visit prior to moving in wherever possible. All the residents spoken with felt that whatever the circumstances of their admission to the home, it had been a positive move. At the thematic inspection records examined all contain contracts between the service user and the home, signed by either the service user or a relative on their behalf. Contracts examined appear fair and are written reasonably well in plain English, although the document would benefit from having the paragraphs numbered to make referencing easier. This inspection visit the changes to the layout of the contract had been made. The thematic inspection also considered how assessment of the individuals needs was carried out prior to their admission. The records examined show assessments remain good, as at previous inspections. Service users and relatives spoken with confirm that social services carries out an assessment and the home manager visits and also carries out a comprehensive assessment of needs. Plans of care are developed from the assessments and there is evidence of family involvement in pre-admission assessments and reviews. All service users spoken with confirmed that they were consulted about their care needs. As previously reported, evidence was examined that a relative had written to the home complimenting the manager on the person-centred way the assessment had been carried out. The home does not provide intermediate care. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 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): 7,8,9,10 and 11 Quality in this outcome area is Excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents can be confident that staff will understand how to best support them in their daily lives. Records that identify how residents should be supported are person centred, but would benefit from development. Resident’s health and independence are supported by the medication administration operated in the home. EVIDENCE: The support and documentation of four residents were considered at this inspection in order to understand how the service understands the way in which it should meet their needs. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 The documents contained in the care plans of these residents contained a comprehensive variety of assessments that identified the level of support the individual required in their daily lives. The files also contained two documents that described the residents’ daily living preferences for day and night. The day -time sheet was broken up into time zones of early, mid morning, midday etc and in each section the preferred routine of the individual was written in a person centred way, identifying their abilities to maintain their independence first with staff intervention being the final part of the statement. Examples included “ X can wash and dress themselves, but staff will need to help them in putting on their stockings and shoes, they will then like to come down to the dining room for breakfast.” Although the sheets described in some detail the way in which staff should expect to approach the support of the individual, they did not fully reflect the information contained in the assessments. For example a resident who suffered from diabetes that is insulin controlled had comments in their daily routine that indicated the timing of meals and their insulin injections, but there was no specific entry to understand how the condition affected the diet they should adhere to in order to maintain their wellbeing. The inspector was able to discuss the way in which the documents were used with the Registered Manager and Care Manager and identified the development required to provide a comprehensive instruction to staff in meeting the individuals needs. It was pleasing that at the second visit to meet the residents the inspector was presented with three examples of care plans that provided a response to the development required. The Registered Manager indicated that the revised documents had been developed following discussions with staff about the way in which they used the care planning tools in existence, and this had highlighted that they were not fulfilling their function in developing a consistent approach to care provision in the service. This had lead the staff team to discuss their practice and the to begin expending the existing tools. The residents were to be consulted as part of this process to ensure a full reflection of their priorities. The health care of residents was monitored through the documents contained in care plans, these included health professional visits, and their outcomes, monitoring sheets for weight, diet etc. Residents generally visit their GP at the surgery wherever possible accompanied by a member of staff. One member of senior care staff who has undertaken a 6-week distancelearning course with Chelmsford College manages medication. Discussions with them indicated they understood practice and was able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of process. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Medication is kept in locked cabinets in locked cupboards spread around the home to provide adequate storage for the size of home. All medication is delivered in monitored dosage system provided by Boots, apart from PRN (as required) medication. MAR sheets are used to monitor incoming and outgoing medications. Controlled drugs are kept in locked cabinets attached to the wall in each cupboard. Controlled drugs logs are kept for these drugs with two signatures for dispensing. Some residents self medicate and a risk assessment is carried out that includes initial regular monitoring of their capabilities, with periodic monitoring and audit of drug stocks at the end of each month. One gap was noted in the MAR sheet medication record. The senior carer was asked what the procedures were for following this up. They reported that at the end of each month when the drugs returns were recorded the MAR sheet records were audited. And this would then be reported to the manager. At this time the record was compared with the duty rota and the person on duty at that time is asked to recall the problem. This appears to be a long delay before the issues is dealt with and the inspector recommended that information about missed signatures were added to back of mar sheet rather than alter original sheet. Residents spoken with during the second part of the site visit to the home were asked about whether staff were respectful and how they demonstrated this to them. They said “because they treat you as an individual”, “ Even my spouse had never seen me without my clothes, so I found it difficult to adjust to letting someone carry out personal care but they have always made sure that they helped me with the least fuss and kept me covered as much as possible, they provided me with dignity”, “I am never made to feel that I am a problem, they are always pleased to help in the way I prefer, they listen to me and do things they way I prefer”. The care plan files examined during the inspection all contained reference to the residents’ preferences in respect of terminal illness and following their death. This information will enable staff to ensure that they are adhering to the individuals’ wishes even at a difficult and emotional time when such enquiries would be unsuitable if not noted previously. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 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. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents enjoy a range of activities on offer and participate according to their preferences. This would be enhanced by the development of smaller opportunities for occupation throughout the day. EVIDENCE: The opportunities for activity and occupation are varied at the home, and this is provided both by staff employed at the service and through their links with other agencies such as help the aged. The organisation demonstrates their commitment to activity as part of the residents daily lives through the allotment of a monthly budget provided to the manager specifically for the funding of events. The service employs a care assistant to fulfil the role of part time activities coordinator. This member of staff is a keen organiser and assists the manager to identify how the budget should be allocated and organises the equipment The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 and resources needed. There is an activity rota posted prominently in the home and the recommendations made at previous inspections in relation to the eye-catching format have been responded to. The notice advertises the weekly bingo and manicure sessions facilitated by the activities coordinator as well as events with entertainers and outside facilitators. The home enjoys a strong association with the local branch of the Help the Aged charity organisation. The relationship has fostered a number of initiatives to benefit both the residents living at the home and encourage the local community to engage with the service. This has included the invitation to local people to visit the home as volunteer befrienders. The volunteers are from varied age groups and backgrounds, and include for example mothers with children who also visit and speak with residents. Another successful idea has been through the connections with local schools and the setting up of living history discussions. Pupils from the school visit residents and ask them to relate their life experiences, which are recorded onto Compact disc. The young people benefit from the insight into past lives and a real history lesson, whilst residents enjoy the involvement with young people and the value their recollections are given. The residents are presented with the CD as a memento of their involvement. All the residents who spoke with the inspector were very enthusiastic about both projects and thought the idea of spending time with the pupils was wonderful. Further initiatives are being developed and help the aged is looking at how they can continue to enhance the lives of residents through occupation and activity, and planned to hold afternoon tea parties with residents to discuss this further. Residents said the additional opportunities to go out and to take part in routines of daily life would be welcome. Although the charity is responsible for the operation of the projects, it was clear from speaking with their representative and the manager that it is the homes commitment and enthusiasm for their involvement that has made the experience work. In fact similar initiatives in other homes locally have failed principally due to the lack of support from the homes. The visitors’ policy is open and residents and their supporters are encouraged to access the home as they wish. Facilities such as a visitors lounge with dining seating are provided to allow residents to invite their visitors to meals. Resident’s relatives are encouraged to not only visit the home but to take residents out wherever possible. The residents who spoke with the inspector gave examples of where they felt they were offered opportunity to exercise choice in their daily lives. They began with the way in which their room was decorated, and they informed the The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 inspector that they had been able to choose the colour of their room and bring with them any items they wished from home. They felt that in their daily life they are able to chose what time they got up, and in some cases who got them up if they objected to male carers. They chose where they spend their time and could come and go from the home, as they preferred. This experience was reiterated in discussions with staff, who clearly understood that the arrangements for the day were fitted around residents’ choices and not timetabled to fit the staff. This was evidenced in their descriptions of their typical day that all reflected responding to individuals needs and wishes. The menu on offer to residents is varied and offers opportunity for choice at main meals. The breakfast is served in a buffet style with residents being offered a choice of cereals etc as they come down to the dining room in the morning. Residents could also chose where they ate their meals and regular preference a recorded in care plans. Some residents said that the evening meal quality varied and felt this was an area where the home could make improvements. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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 excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The service is proactive in ensuring that residents’ rights are upheld and concerns are listened to. EVIDENCE: The way in which the home deals with complaints was considered at the thematic inspection carried out in January 2007. The inspector found that “On the day of the inspection visit the home’s complaints procedure was examined. The document contains appropriate information to ensure service users or other interested parties know what to do if they need to make a complaint, including timescales for response and contact details for the Commission for Social Care Inspection. The manager confirmed that there is a copy of the complaints procedure in every service user’s room. Service users spoken with are all confident they would know what to do if they wished to raise a concern or make a complaint. Relatives spoken with confirmed that they are certain that the manager would deal with any concerns promptly. Complaints records examined at the previous inspection show that the most recent complaint was dealt with quickly and efficiently. “ At this inspection the residents were asked again for their views on the homes complaints procedures and their experiences. They continued to feel confident The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 in speaking with the senior staff of the home and that their views would be listened to and action would be taken. The service has a policy and procedure for dealing with the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. This includes how staff are recruited to the home and the checks that the service undertakes and also the training staff receive in understanding abuse and their responsibilities if witnessing abusive actions. The policy is appropriate to the recommendations of “No Secrets” and the local guidance in reporting abuse. Staff spoken with were confident about their ability to recognise abuse and what responsibilities and protection whistle blowing affords them. The home had reported two allegations of abuse in the previous twelve months; both incidents related to issues external to the home and were appropriately dealt with by the service to a satisfactory conclusion. The manager has proved herself to be tenacious in ensuring that residents’ rights to protection are supported. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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, 20, 23, 24 and 26 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents are provided with premises that support independence, choice and dignity. EVIDENCE: The premises are presented and maintained to a high standard with a variety of communal space available for residents to use, including a total of five lounges and two dining rooms. One lounge was used as a quiet area for residents who wished to have some privacy with visitors. One of the lounges had tea and coffee making facilities so that residents and their visitors could have refreshments whenever they wanted. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 The bedrooms are mainly single and provide adequate space for the recommended furnishing including armchairs. The rooms were pleasantly laid out with low windows to enable residents to see out when seated, and had been personalised with resident’s choice of décor and belongings. Residents spoken with during the inspection were very proud of the home and the way it was presented. One resident said “I bet you never see anywhere as good as this” and another said “the handyman is constantly working at keeping things up to date, he never stops!” another commented “it was a hard thing to leave my home, but they made it as easy as possible by letting me bring things with me”. The manager is proactive in maintaining the appearance of the premises and ensures that any opportunity to benefit the service is seized. She ensures she is kept updated on developments in the care industry and advised that an application to secure a Government grant had been successful. This is aimed to assist care homes to make improvements to premises to benefit residents. Following a consultation with residents and their families to identify what they felt money could be spent on, The application focused on an underused lounge by providing additional facilities such as a large screen television with surround sound, a computer and a bar to provide an entertainment room. Additionally the garden leading from this lounge was to be provided with a Gazebo and new outdoor furniture. There were not any noticeable odours in the home, a point that residents who spoke to the inspector were keen to point out. One resident stated that although they suffered from incontinence, they were assisted by staff in a timely manner and they felt that this prompt attention was not only respectful of them as an individual but was a contributing factor to the standard of cleanliness in the home. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 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 excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The residents feel supported by the numbers of staff and the skills they hold. Robust recruitment measures are taken to ensure residents are protected wherever possible. EVIDENCE: The manager confirmed that the residential forum is used to calculate staffing numbers and the rota examined provided evidence of a flexible and supportive staffing arrangement. Staff spoken with felt that their day was not rushed and that there was adequate staff numbers to support the residents needs, and did not feel they were working to a stopwatch. Throughout the inspection visit the atmosphere was calm and peaceful with none of the hectic movements associated with activities such as mealtimes. Residents also commented that they did not feel rushed at any time of the day, they were given time to get up and did not feel that staff were overly stretched. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 The home has not employed any agency staff to fill vacant hours using the existing staff group to cover instead. The NVQ training for staff is ongoing and at the time of the inspection visit there were 12 staff undertaking NVQ 2 and 6 staff participating in NVQ 3. This was in part possible due to the successful application made for training funding available last year. 8 staff already hold NVQ level 2 or above and this will take the total number to 60 of the workforce. Staff files contained evidence of the home recruitment procedures and included application forms with employment history, proof of identity, two written references and CRB checks. The discussion with staff confirmed that the service operates a robust system of recruitment that protects residents. Staff training is a high priority in the service and commencing at the induction of new staff against Skills for Care standards staff are provided with ongoing development. A rolling programme of training includes POVA, infection control, moving and handling, basic diabetes awareness and blood glucose monitoring, malnutrition screening. A few staff had also been trained to an advanced level in diabetes awareness and was certified to administer insulin with District Nurses retaining overall responsibility. Staff spoken with during the inspection were appreciative of the training on offer and felt this reflected the services value of them as team members. One member of staff said that although they had worked in other care services for a number of years they had been provided with more opportunity to attend courses since working at Corner House than in all their previous employment. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 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, 32, 33, 35 and 38 Quality in this outcome area is Excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents benefit from a committed management team, who listen to their views and respond to improve the service. Quality assurance provides the basis for the services development. Resident’s monies are protected by the financial records maintained, although additional information in the retention of receipts will ensure a clear audit trail. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 EVIDENCE: The management of the service is respected by staff and residents and discussions with the inspector all referred to her strong leadership and the confidence this provided to both staff and residents. Residents were proud of the home and the way in which it was operated, comments such as “it is like staying with friends” and “I feel sorry for people that don’t live in a home like this” gave an indication of their strength of feeling. A quality assurance system is operated in the home with questionnaires provided to residents, relatives, and health and social care professionals and staff. The results are audited and used to produce a business plan for the coming year, a copy of which is provided to the CSCI. Additionally meetings are held with all levels of staff and residents from which minutes are published. The service manages a small amount of resident’s funds on the behalf of individuals. This is kept in a safe, and individual account balance sheets are maintained along with their cash. The balance sheets demonstrate money received and spent on behalf of residents with dated entries containing descriptions of expenditure, amounts spent and two signatures. In general the receipts relating to the expenditure are attached, however in a small number of cases the residents financial affairs are managed by a third party such as a solicitor or relative and in these cases the receipts are returned to them. This does not provide a robust audit trail of the individual accounts and the manager was advised to provide copies of receipts to the third party and retain the originals with the balance sheets. The manager advised by the second visit to the home that this issue had been addressed and a new procedure was in place. Staff files contained copies of line management supervision and individual development plans. The supervision records demonstrated that staff receive regular feedback on their performance as well as an opportunity to add to their personal development plan by identifying training to support them. Staff spoken with during the inspection felt the sessions were beneficial to their practice and development. Records relating to the maintenance of equipment and health and safety requirements were considered at this inspection. These included documentation such as certificates for gas, electric, fire records, hoist and lift maintenance. These documents were present and in date for their annual checks. The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 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 4 4 4 4 4 N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 4 10 4 11 3 DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 4 14 4 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 4 4 4 X X 4 4 X 4 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 4 30 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 4 4 4 X 3 X X 3 The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26 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. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 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 The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 27 Commission for Social Care Inspection Colchester Local Office 1st Floor, Fairfax House Causton Road Colchester Essex CO1 1RJ 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 The Corner House DS0000017959.V337943.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 28 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!