Inspection on 13/11/08 for The Grove Residential Home

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

There are clear, recorded admissions processes into the home. Prior to admission individual`s needs are assessed in order to ensure that The Grove is able to support them in all areas of their care and support needs. Staff are recruited appropriately with all required checks being undertaken. There is a stable and consistent team of management and staff at this home. Staff have developed good relationships with those who live at the home and have a sound understanding of individuals needs and preferences. The home has achieved a five star hygiene award from South Gloucestershire`s environmental health department. The Grove is comfortable, communal areas are well decorated and it is well furnished. Individuals appeared to be settled and `at home`. People told us "I like it here, the staff are lovely". "I have friends here and I am happy". Within one of the three surveys returned to us from a staff member recorded that they believed the service provided at The Grove was `First class`. Surveys completed by people living at the home indicated that they were satisfied with the service. One of the relatives of an individual who lives at the home recorded within a survey in response to the question "what do you feel the home does well?" They said; `General ethos and culture positive, good levels of care, comfort and food, a happy clean environment`.

What has improved since the last inspection?

There was one recommendation made during our last visit to the service, this has been met. The home have ensured the health and safety of those who live and work at the home in respect of cleaning substances as these have now been stored in a secure cupboard.

What the care home could do better:

Care plans must be in place for all of those who live at the home in order that these may direct and guide staff practice. These plans must be available to the service users. Care plans must be kept under review and must contain full detailed information to ensure that people are fully supported in all aspect of their care. Care plans should also be dated to evidence when the care plan had been completed, this would also assist in the review and monitoring of these documents. To ensure a clear audit trail and accountability the home must improve upon the recording of stock held medication. Records of medication administered ona daily basis within the home must be improved upon, current practices are unsafe and do not demonstrate a clear audit trail of medication which has been administered by staff at the home. In order to demonstrate that manual handling risk assessments are current, it is required that these assessments are dated; this will further aid the process for the review and monitoring of these assessments. Risks for those who live at the home are recorded for some people who live at the home, however these assessments are not always clear. In order that all are fully aware of potential risks and how these should be managed it is required that risk assessments have clearer links to the care plans of those individuals who live at the home. A full evaluation of the risk factors identified for people must be recorded and should also demonstrate how people will be supported to maintain their safety. Spot checks that are completed at the home to monitor staff practices are good. It was noted in one staff members record that a spot check identified an area of staff performance that required improvement. Nothing had been recorded to demonstrate what action the home had taken to rectify this. Improvement within this area of recording is needed. The home must inform the Commission of incidents, which affect the wellbeing of those who live at the home. This will demonstrate that the service has dealt with issues effectively and in the best interests of those who live at the home.