Inspection on 14/08/08 for The Poplars

This inspection was carried out on 14th August 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Adequate 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

The Poplars 10/09/09

The Poplars 10/03/08

The Poplars 17/09/07

The Poplars 15/12/05

The Poplars 08/09/05

The Poplars 08/02/05

The Poplars 21/10/04

The Poplars 19/02/04

Similar services:

Hillview Farm

Dalewood Respite Care

Orchard,The

REACH Upton Court Road

Fairways

Treloar College

Kestrel House, St Anne`s Opportunity Centre,

Pinta

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 13/11/2008.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 The Poplars Drayton Road Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 5HY Lead Inspector Delia Styles Unannounced Inspection 14 & 15th August 2008 11:50 th The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 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 Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.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 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. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service The Poplars Address Drayton Road Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 5HY 01235 523630 01235 523630 haroon@caretech-uk.com 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) Caretech Community Services Ltd Post vacant Care Home 6 Category(ies) of Learning disability (6) registration, with number of places The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Admittance of one named over age service user Date of last inspection 12th March 2008 Brief Description of the Service: The Poplars is a large detached house situated within easy reach of Abingdon town centre. The home is registered for up to six people who have a learning disability. The home has a spacious lounge, kitchen and dining room and a large garden with patio area. Each resident has his or her own bedroom. Each resident is supported to use local health care facilities. The home is run and managed by CareTech Community Services Ltd, a national organisation with experience in providing services for people with a learning disability. The fees for this home range from £997.72 to £1,015.19. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The quality rating for this service is 1 star. This means the people who use this service experience adequate quality outcomes. This is what the inspector did when she was at the home. The visit lasted for just over 4 hours on Thursday and Friday afternoons in August. The inspector met all 5 people who live at the home and was shown around so that she could see some of their rooms (if they said it was alright to do this). The inspector looked at some of the policies and procedures in the office. Policies are rules about how to do things. Procedures tell people how to follow the rules. The inspector talked to the person in charge and some of the support workers about how they help people to go to college and work and trips out so that they have interesting things to do. We would like to say thank you for helping us to find out what you think about living at The Poplars. What the service does well: The house is clean and there is plenty of space in peoples’ rooms and shared rooms in the house so that people can have quiet times or share in what’s going on in the house. People can go on outings most days with support workers, to visit interesting places and have their lunch out if they want to. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 The home helps people keep in touch with their families and friends. It makes sure that people are helped to stay healthy and visit the doctor or nurse if they are ill. What has improved since the last inspection? The last time we visited we found that staff did not all know enough about some rules about how to make sure that people living here are safe. Now all the staff have talks and information, so that they know what to do to make sure that service users are always safe and well supported. The people who run The Poplars have done a lot of the things that we said they had to do to make the house nicer for people to live in. The house has had new carpets and has been painted since we last visited, so that it looks bright and cheerful and clean. People have had their rooms decorated and had new curtains and pictures that they have chosen. There is a new cooker, microwave, washing machine and tumble drier. The people who run the Poplars come and visit more often and write about what they find when they come. This shows that they want to make sure that people living here are happy and well supported. They make sure that the staff know about the rules and what they have to do to follow them so that everyone is safe. And they check that the house is clean and repairs have been done. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 What they could do better: 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 Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 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 The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standard 2 Quality in this outcome area is good. An assessment of the needs of a person who wants to move to the home can be completed following guidelines and a procedure available at the home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: There have been no new people come to live here since the last time we visited. People do not move in until a needs assessment has been completed, have visited and have stayed overnight (if possible). Following the assessment and visit(s) the service is then able to confirm whether they can meet the needs of the person and are sure that the person is happy to move into The Poplars. We looked at information about the people who live in the home, which was written before they moved in to see whether it describes how they like and need to be supported. The information held about the most recent person who moved in showed us that their needs and how they want to be supported was clearly recorded. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 6, 7 and 9 Quality in this outcome area is adequate Since the last inspection some improvements have been made to peoples’ personal plans and records about their day to day support, but further work is needed to make sure that the people living here are more involved in the review and updating of the information in their care plans. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The inspector looked at the support plans for one resident in detail, with his permission. The plans provide information about likes and dislikes, highlighting how people wish to be supported and include information about a person’s communication support needs. As we found at previous inspections, the information is held in one bulky file for each individual and this makes it difficult to identify where to find the most up to date information about the person’s support needs and how well these have been met. This individual was able to follow what was in his support plan. We talked about the photographs and information that was in it and the person said that it described his choices and that this is still what happens. As had previously The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 been noted in a provider’s ‘regulation 26’ monthly visit report, information in the file about the home’s manager was not up to date. This was still the case: the name and photo of the last manager (who left in June) was still in the service user’s file. Information should be kept up to date so that the people living here can identify the key staff whom they can go to with any complaints or concerns. Support plans are kept in a locked cabinet in the dining room. There was no evidence of staff engaging with residents about their support plans when updating them at the end of their shift. However, we have been told by the provider organisation, Care Tech, that they have introduced the new format for support plans that is ‘person-centred’ and has improved the way in which staff use ‘talk-time’ with individual service users. This should in turn improve the recording and updating of people’s support plans with them. Observation and conversation with those people who wished to/were able talk with the inspector, showed that they were encouraged to make choices about what they did during the day. The home continues to have a system for identifying and assessing risk for individuals in relation to everyday activities and lifestyle choices meaning that people are protected as far as possible. From the evidence seen and comments received, we consider that this service would be able to provide a service to meet the needs of individuals of various religious, racial or cultural needs. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 Quality in this outcome area is adequate. People are supported to make lifestyle choices that generally recognise their individuality and since the last inspection staff are improving ways in which they engage people in activities in the home. Important relationships and contact with family members is supported and encouraged. Food in the home is of a satisfactory quality, and limited improvements have been made in the variety of menu choices they have on a daily basis. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The inspector arrived at the home at ‘short notice’ on a Thursday shortly after 11 am. One person was expecting to be taken out and assumed the inspector was an external Activity Support Worker (ASW). The senior support worker explained that she had promised to take this individual out, so it was agreed that the inspector would visit again on the following afternoon so as not to disrupt the planned activities. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 The ASW arrived to offer another person the opportunity to go out and arranged for them to have a late lunch on their return. ASWs continue to offer people the opportunity to go out, to go shopping, to go out for lunch or to go to an activity. People are clearly supported to decide what they want to do during the sessions with the ASW The next day, the same individual was again waiting in the hallway expecting to be taken out by the ASW. The senior support worker said this was not planned for him, though another support worker was earlier heard to reassure him that the ASW ‘would be here soon’ to take him out. This individual was then assured that he would go out with a support worker later in the afternoon. This indicated to the inspector that there is some limitation to peoples’ freedom to go out of the home because of the homes staff availability, if service users need to be accompanied. Some of the people who live in the home attend college courses and a local day centre, which gives people opportunities for personal development. The senior support worker said that they are still experiencing difficulties in engaging 3 people who live here with group and ‘one to one’ activities with staff but described ways in which they are improving interaction and the opportunities for these individuals to be more involved in the life and activities in the home. Each person’s weekly plan of activities and household ‘chores’ were displayed on the wall in the dining room. People continue to be encouraged and supported to maintain contact with people who are important to them. Visitors are welcomed into the home. People confirmed that they help with the menu planning and that some people help with the preparation of meals. One person said he enjoyed cooking at college but did not know how to use the microwave oven in the home. Lunch for residents in the house on the first day of our visit was tinned tomato soup and bread rolls. One person did not want this, so was offered toast and a topping of his choice. Though we were assured at the last inspection that the menus had been reviewed to include more vegetables and healthy options there was little evidence of choice or a healthy/balanced lunchtime meal on this occasion. There was no little or no interaction between people as they quickly ate their lunch; this may be because of individuals’ difficulties with communication with others. Staff did not join service users in the dining room at lunchtime - this The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 may reflect staff understanding of peoples’ preferences to maintain their own ‘space’ and boundaries in shared rooms. Regular drinks and snacks are available; two people were seen to have bags of crisps in the afternoon. The evening meal seen in preparation on the following day was home made lasagne and looked and smelled very appetising. One person requested some fresh fruit before the meal and chose from a bowl of fruit available in the kitchen. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 18, 19 and 20. Quality in this outcome area is good. The people who live at The Poplars are supported to meet their personal care needs. Access to additional support from health care professionals is consistent and meets individuals’ health needs. Medication is stored securely and administration is accurate, ensuring the safety of the people who live at the home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: Support/care plans include guidance of how people wish their personal and healthcare needs to be supported. Personal care is provided in private in either people’s bedrooms or the bathrooms. People are prompted with their personal care as needed and they choose their own clothes and hairstyle. Times for getting up, going to bed, and mealtimes remain flexible. Support plans refer to preferred routines, likes and dislikes. People are supported to see their local GP and other community healthcare services when needed. Staff also support people to access specialist The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 healthcare support. One person has had particular input from an occupational therapist to make adaptations to their room and bathroom facilities that meet their individual needs Staff continue to support people to take their medication. Medication storage and medication administration records (MARs) were viewed. Two lockable cabinets, which are securely attached to the wall, ensure the safe storage of medication. Medicines were found to be in date and stored appropriately. There were no inappropriate items stored in either cabinet. Medication administration records were well maintained with signatures alongside prescribed dose times. The senior support worker demonstrated a good understanding of individual service users medication and safe management and administration systems in the home. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 22 and 23 Quality in this outcome area is good. The home has an effective system in place for responding to, investigating and recording complaints. Systems and procedures are in place to ensure the protection of the people who live in the home. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: No formal complaints have been received at the home or at the CSCI since the last inspection. A complaints procedure is available for the people who live at The Poplars. Individuals confirmed that they know who to talk to if they’re not happy with something. The people who live in the home continue to attend house meetings and are given opportunities to share their views on issues that are important to them. Adult protection/Safeguarding Adults procedures are available at The Poplars. Since our last inspection, training for staff in safeguarding issues has been improved and training records and planned sessions showed us that staff are required to attend this training. Care Tech’s Director of Quality and Performance now oversees any complaints and concerns and decides on the process to be taken to investigate complaints and whether to have an external person brought in to do this. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 The company has informed us it works in partnership with an advocacy service – ‘Advocacy Matters’ - that will work on behalf of service users. The homes own complaints record was seen. The investigation and follow up of an allegation made by a service user about a member of staff was documented. The senior support worker confirmed that the matter had been satisfactorily resolved and that the service user and staff member had no ongoing issues. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Quality in this outcome area is adequate. Considerable improvements have been made to the environment since the last inspection and generally the home presents a comfortable and domestic environment that meets the individual needs of the people living here. The home should act more promptly on maintenance and equipment problems to ensure that the facilities and environment are consistently safe and serviceable for residents’ use. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: A tour of the building, including looking at 4 people’s rooms (with their permission) showed that there has been a considerable improvement made to the internal environment of the home since our last inspection. Throughout, the living areas of the house are clean, bright, fresh and homely. Care Tech managers have kept us informed about the progress made in response to our requirements made in March 2008. By June 2008 the house had been fully redecorated and replacement carpets for the lounge, entrance hall, stairwell and upstairs landing were fitted. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 The first floor bathroom has been refurbished by the landlords of the property (Maidenhead District Council). Non-slip flooring has been laid in the first floor toilet. The ground floor toilet has also been refurbished and is no longer just reserved for staff use. As at our March inspection, there were no hand towels for use in the upstairs toilet. This was pointed out to a staff member and was promptly remedied. Individual service users have been involved in choosing the décor and shopping for items to further personalise their rooms. One person was clearly delighted with their ‘new-look’ room and is looking forward to the new carpet for it. One person’s room is an exception to the improved standards seen elsewhere, being very bare in appearance and with no bedding on a torn and badly damaged mattress. The windows of this ground floor bedroom can only be shut from the outside, staff said. We are aware of the particular needs of this individual and that there is a gradual programme of work to introduce furniture and fittings acceptable to them. However, the state of the mattress was unacceptably poor and actions should have been taken to replace it sooner. The senior support worker attempted to immediately put an order in for a new mattress: this was done on the Monday following the inspection and we were informed by Care Tech area manager that delivery of a new mattress was expected in the first week of September. The manager said that ‘staff have been reminded that re-ordering must occur as soon as damage is apparent’. The staff sleep-in room has been improved as required but at the time of this inspection was still cluttered with boxes of archived paperwork awaiting the delivery of a shed to store it in. Since the inspection we have been informed that the concrete base for the new metal shed was due to be prepared in the first week of September. In the kitchen and utility room, a new cooker, microwave, washing machine and tumble drier have been provided. However, the dishwasher has not been working since March 2008. The senior support worker confirmed that a requisition form had been sent at that time, but at the time of this inspection in August still had not yet been processed. Since the inspection we have been informed that an order for a new dishwasher was placed on August 15th and ‘will be in-situ very soon’. The patio area was cluttered with old furniture and the old microwave, awaiting collection for disposal. The garden looked unkempt and overgrown with weeds in most of the area. Gardeners had ‘done half the garden and fitted a wardrobe’ on their last visit, a staff member said. They thought that the old equipment and furniture would be cleared when the old shed was replaced. Staff confirmed that some of the residents do enjoy sitting out in the garden and having a ‘kick around’ with a football, so that it is important to them to have the grass cut and a pleasant area to use. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Since the inspection we have been informed that the scheduled date for the gardeners to collect the old furniture is in the first week of September, and the maintenance person was booked to complete work on the rear door to the back garden. The landlords have confirmed that the rear door is not a designated fire exit. At this inspection we noted that it was locked and marked not for use as an exit; the door beading was partially detached and there was paper stuffed into the frame. Whilst acknowledging the considerable improvements made to the house décor and furnishings, it seems that there is still undue delay in getting repairs and work for the general upkeep of the environment completed. Care Tech tell us they have implemented a system of environmental audits for all its services and a regional development plan and new budgets were agreed from November 2007 which should improve the reporting and resolution of faults and breakages. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 32, 34 and 35 Quality in this outcome area is adequate Safe recruitment practices are in place, which safeguard the people who live at the home. Staff are offered mandatory training, which ensures that the needs of people who live at The Poplars can be met by appropriately trained staff. Since the last inspection some progress has been made in improving the continuity in care and support for residents through supply of reliable temporary staff and successful recruitment of more permanent staff. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: Upon arrival at the home on the first day, there were two agency staff on duty and one permanent member of staff (a senior care support worker). One of the two agency staff said she was a ‘flexi-bank’ worker. Since our last inspection CareTech has told us they have set up a ‘flexi bank’ operating from their HQ in Potters Bar to cover staff absences ‘when required. Agency or ‘flexi-bank’ support workers at the home on both days of this inspection confirmed that they had worked here before on a number of occasions and knew the service users and their support needs well. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 The senior support worker/shift leader said that they had recruited more permanent staff. A new house manager had also been appointed and is due to start work in early September 2008. This should further improve continuity of staffing and support for the people living here. CareTech have used an external consultant to review the training programme for all their staff. The new LDQ, learning disability specific training will be incorporated into training, as will values and principles of care, the Mental Capacity Act and specialist training such as non-crisis intervention and management training. Training will also focus on shift leaders to ensure that staff are prepared for management roles. From looking at advertised courses, a sample of staff training records and the organisations mandatory training schedule it was evident that the CareTech training programme is available for all staff, including agency staff. The courses include fire safety, manual handling, first aid, medication administration, food safety and courses relevant to supporting the people who live in the home. Examination of a sample of staff files held locally and information from our assessment of central record keeping files from the Southern Region of CareTech show that these are of a good standard. All the necessary checks and references for new staff are in place before they start work, which ensures the protection of the people who live in the home as far as possible. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 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. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 37, 39 and 42 Quality in this outcome area is adequate. Improvements have been made to staff training and record keeping since our last inspection so that the health and safety of people living at The Poplars is better promoted and monitored. The organisation (Care Tech) has developed new strategies to ensure that it reviews and improves aspects of the service and quality of life for the people living here. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. EVIDENCE: The home has been without a manager since June 2008 but a new manager has just been appointed and is due to take up her post in September 2008. In the interim a senior support worker has taken on the leadership role in the home, with the support of a CareTech area manager. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 CareTech has improved its system for ensuring that managers submit applications to register with the Commission with an expectation that this should be done within 3 months of their appointment. From our observations and conversations with the senior support worker/shift leader it was clear that the paperwork and procedures in place for the running of the home were well organised and maintained. Information and records requested were readily available in labelled files. The fire safety log was available on this occasion (this was not so at our March inspection). The fire safety records showed that the fire awareness training for new staff was up to date and fire safety training has been booked for all staff. The senior support worker undertakes routine fire safety checks. CareTech now has a corporate health and safety team and has a health and safety representative in each service with training in place for staff in this role. The inspector did not inquire whether this is so at The Poplars. Permanent and agency staff undertake training in control of substances hazardous to health and health and safety, as well as manual handling, food handling and first aid. Data sheets were in place for cleaning products used at the home, in case of accidental spillage or ingestion. An area manager for CareTech continues to visit the home and report on her findings as required under Regulation 26 (‘provider visits’) of the Care Homes Act. Staff confirmed that the last ‘provider visit’ had taken place for August, but the report for that visit was not yet available. The previous manager and area manager have communicated well with us to keep us informed about the improvements made since our last inspection. The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26 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 Standard No Score 1 X 2 3 3 X 4 X 5 X INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No Score 22 3 23 3 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 24 2 25 X 26 X 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 31 X 32 2 33 X 34 3 35 2 36 X CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score 2 2 X 3 3 LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 2 13 2 14 X 15 3 16 3 17 2 PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Score 3 3 3 X 2 X 3 X X 2 X The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 27 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 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. Refer to Standard YA6 Good Practice Recommendations Continue to implement the new system of support plans for each service user, ensuring that these are in a format that is accessible and understandable for each individual and that is discussed and updated with them Continue to review the activities available to people in the home and ensure that there are sufficient numbers of skilled staff to support people in age, peer and culturally appropriate activities of their choice. Monitor the variety of food choices on offer to people throughout the day to ensure that they are receiving a balanced and nutritious diet. Ensure that maintenance work, repairs and replacement of equipment are undertaken in a prompt and timely manner to ensure the safety and comfort of all the household members. 2. YA12 3. 4. YA17 YA24 The Poplars DS0000013126.V369357.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 28 Commission for Social Care Inspection Maidstone Office The Oast Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9NT 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. 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