Inspection on 02/12/08 for Thornley Leazes Care

This inspection was carried out on 2nd December 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Excellent 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

Thornley Leazes Care 04/12/06

Thornley Leazes Care 30/01/06

Thornley Leazes Care 09/11/05

Thornley Leazes Care 02/03/05

Thornley Leazes Care 28/09/04

Similar services:

22 Sandown Road

The Highlands

Dilston College Of Further Education

West View House

Prince Bishop Court

Park View (15)

Craigmore House

1 Lanark Close

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/06/2011.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Thornley Leazes Care Thornley Gate Allendale Hexham Northumberland NE47 9HN three star excellent service The quality rating for this care home is: 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: Allan Helmrich Date: 0 2 1 2 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. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: 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. 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. Internet address www.csci.org.uk Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Thornley Leazes Care Thornley Gate Allendale Hexham Northumberland NE47 9HN 01434-683769 01434683769 thornleyleazes@btinternet.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Mrs M L Watson,Mr S Watson Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs L D Charlton Type of registration: Number of places registered: Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 9 3 care home 12 learning disability Additional conditions: Date of last inspection 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 7 A bit about the care home Thornley Leazes is converted from a large detached domestic residence set in its own grounds on the outskirts of Allendale. Care and support is provided for twelve service users with a learning disability, three of whom are elderly. Two bedrooms are shared and non have en-suite facilities. There are two communal rooms used as lounge and dining rooms. The home has two bathrooms one of which also has a separate shower cubicle. Outside a summerhouse is used for activities and crafts. This home would not be suitable for anyone with a physical disability as there are short flights of stairs between areas on the ground floor and first floor and there is no lift between the floors. Inspection reports and information about the home are readily available. The homes weekly charges are £370. 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: three star excellent 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 How we did our inspection: This is what the inspector did when they were at the care home The quality rating for this service is 3 star. This means the people who use this service experience excellent quality outcomes. We have reviewed our practice when making requirements, to improve national consistency. Some requirements from previous inspection reports may have been deleted or carried forward into this report as recommendations - but only when it is considered that people who use services are not being put at significant risk of harm. In future, if a requirement is repeated, it is likely that enforcement action will be taken. The Visit: The inspection was unannounced and was undertaken by the link inspector for the service. The inspection started at 10:30am and lasted 4.5hrs. During the visit we: Talked with people who use the service. Talked with the proprietors, home manager and staff on duty. Looked at information about the people who use the service and how well their needs are met. Looked at case records for three residents and other records that must be kept, including medication. Checked that staff had the knowledge, skills and training to meet the needs of the people they care for. Looked around the building to assess if it was clean, safe and comfortable. Checked what improvements had been made since the last visit. Also surveys were sent to residents, staff and visiting healthcare professionals. Responses were received from six residents supported by relatives or staff, four care staff and three healthcare professionals. Information from these sources is used in this report. What the care home does well Thornley Leazes provides care and support in a warm friendly environment. The home is clean and well maintained. The manager and staff have all worked with the residents for several years and provide a consistently good standard of care. People are supported and encouraged to lead fulfilling lives of their choice. The majority also are in regular contact with family and friends. Everyone living in the home has enjoyed a holiday in this country or abroad, supported by either care staff or family members in the last year. Professional visitors to the home commented that; individual care is excellent and that staff provide a high quality of personal attention. The manager knows each of the residents very well and is a good advocate for them to ensure their right are supported. What has got better from the last inspection The home continues to be well maintained with a replacement and decoration programme in place to ensure each person lives in a comfortable safe environment. A requirement to provide greater privacy to some ground floor rooms has been addressed and liquid soap is now available at the communal washing points to promote good infection control practices. What the care home could do better The proprietors and manager are continually trying to improve the care provided and have a plan of action for continued improvement for the benefit of people who live in the home. The assessment of staff without a recognised qualification should be conducted to demonstrate their abilities in providing care to people who live in the home. If you want to read the full report of our inspection please ask the person in charge of the care home If you want to speak to the inspector please contact Allan Helmrich St Nicholas Building St Nicholas Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1NB Telephone 0191 233 3600 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 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 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 . The admission process reduces the possibility of admitting someone whose needs cannot be met. Evidence: The majority of people living at Thornley Leazes have been there for several years and no one has been admitted since the last inspection. The manager ensures the home can meet the needs of any referral before a placement is made. Full information is obtained about the person and relevant professionals are involved. Each of the files reviewed contained a range of assessments relating to health and personal care and a comprehensive assessment of needs with supporting information from professional sources. This ensures the home can provide the support required before a place is offered. One resident who completed a survey stated they visited a few times before deciding to move in. 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 . People have good plans in place for daily living. They are involved in making lifestyle decisions and are encouraged to be independent. Evidence: The majority of people living in the home have full and active lifestyles of their choice. Comments in the surveys returned included; I go to day services 4 days and to the leisure centre to play football. We go shopping with daybreak. I usually have an ides what Im going to do unless Im at work. I go to daybreak 4 days and out with my key worker on Fridays when I do what I want to. Sometimes the staff and I make decisions. I like to help in the home. I go to daycare 5 days a week. I like to listen to CDs and watch films with other residents. I have been offered the chance to go to Gateway but I like a nice lazy day off at the weekend. I go to Gateway on Saturdays. I love going for a walk, doing jigsaws and watching television. Case records have been developed to describe the needs and choices of each resident. The records contain social histories written by staff who clearly know the residents well. Residents have been involved in developing these plans and they are signed by the resident and key worker as an agreement to the support to be provided. Each person is encouraged to write a diary that is used by staff when the files are reviewed. These files are reviewed regularly to ensure any changes in personal needs are addressed. Three files reviewed contained a good standard of information clearly describing how care is provided. Residents are involved in all decisions made in the home and they are Evidence: involved in meetings when their views are recorded and any actions needed are addressed. The manager also meets separately with each resident specifically to obtain an opinion about the service provided. Activities residents are involved in have been assessed as appropriate and any risks involved are assessed and minimised. Residents are involved in activities outside the home and the proprietor and staff are available with transport when needed. Residents are encouraged and supported to keep in touch with relatives and friends. Some residents visit their families regularly and have overnight stays and others holiday with members of their family. These comments were received from professional visitors to the home; 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 excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People are supported to live a normal life within the community and they are provided with a range of healthy meals. Evidence: Residents are very much part of the local community. They regularly use community facilities. They attend church functions and one resident is in the church choir. There are regular trips to major shopping centres and meals out in local public houses. Each resident has an activities schedule and a diary records special activities such as; special parties, day trips and other activities. Weekly activities include; day services, outings and shopping. Other ad-hoc activities healthy life walks with the local health centre, a film club in the village hall and coffee mornings in the church hall. Staff and the proprietor provide transport for residents when required. People also use local bus services. The manager is constantly looking for new activity opportunities for both groups and individuals. Most of the residents have had at least one holiday this year some have been abroad. Over the last year seven residents have been to Spain, two to the Canaries and two to Corfu. There have also been holidays to Scotland, Centre Parks Kielder and Blackpool. Two residents have holidayed separately with their families to Spain and Tenerife. Details of each residents family contacts and friends are recorded in the individual case records. Some residents have no family support but those that have are assisted Evidence: to maintain regular contact. One resident regularly meets friends in a nearby town. The homes menu is displayed in the kitchen. The meals provided are varied and contain appropriate amounts of fruit and vegetables to keep residents in good health. The food store contained a good quantity of food in small portions to enable staff to meet individual needs if necessary. Everyones nutritional needs are assessed and the menus were recently changed following a residents meeting. A care manager commented in a survey that residents with complex needs are supported very well and are always treat as individuals. Also that staff encourage independence with effective good communication. Residents commented that they decide what to do and where to go. And that they make decisions daily. 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 excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service . People are supported to live their chosen lifestyle. An experienced staff team addresses their physical and emotional needs. The homes medication system ensures residents are safe and their needs are met Evidence: A plan detailing the amount of support each resident needs is in place. The plan identifies each residents communication abilities, their likes and dislikes to assist staff in providing good care. Any behavioral issues that need to be addressed are identified together with the personal support required by each resident. This is recorded in an individual plan, mobility is assessed and each residents dependency is monitored. Periodic health checks are carried out by; dentists, chiropodists and opticians and a record of professionals involved in each residents care is maintained. Professional visitors commented that; individual care is excellent. There is a high quality of personal attention timely and appropriate intervention by staff when residents are ill and good support for residents with complex needs. The system for administration of medicines was checked and found to be in order. All staff dispense medicines after initial training. Accredited training is in place. Medicines are securely stored and a system is in place to record all medicines in and out of the home. This ensures residents needs are met and they are maintained in a safe environment. 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 . A good complaints process supports residents and they are protected from abuse by a staff team that are aware of vulnerable adult procedures. Evidence: A complaints procedure is provided for residents. All six residents surveyed indicated they know who to speak to if they are unhappy and they know how to complain. One resident said I find the staff very helpful if I have a problem. Complaint forms are available to anyone in the lobby of the home. The home has received one complaint following a recommendation at the last inspection regarding liquid soap. This was recorded in a log with the action taken to address the complaint. The manager stated she regularly speaks with residents to ensure any areas of dissatisfaction are addressed. The homes notice board had several cards and letters of satisfaction written by visitors to the home. Staff are trained in abuse awareness and appropriate supportive guidance is available in the home. 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 . Residents are proud of their home which is clean and well maintained. Evidence: The home which is converted from a large family home is safe and well maintained. Work is ongoing to update and improve the facilities. Planning permissions have limited the improvement works the proprietor would like to achieve. Bedrooms seen were individual in character and well fitted. Following a recommendation at the last inspection bathrooms have more privacy at the windows and liquid soap is provided at communal washing points to promote good infection control. The laundry contains equipment that meets disinfection standards and has walls and floor that are easily cleanable. The kitchen was clean and contained suitable equipment for a home of this size. A kitchen audit system is in use to ensure a good standard is maintained. Residents seen were comfortable in their surroundings. 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 . A well-trained and competent staff group supports residents. Evidence: The staff team clearly new the residents very well and dealt sensitively with any issues that arose during the inspection. The normal staffing for the home, in addition to the manager, is two care staff from 7:00am until 9:00pm. Then one care staff who sleeps in through the night. During the inspection both proprietors were in the home and the manager attended for the duration of the inspection. No new staff have been employed for over three years. This gives a good level of consistency to support people in the home. All but three of the staff have achieved a National Vocational qualification (NVQ) in care. Any mature staff without this qualification should have their competence assessed by the manager and have that available on their personal files. This is good practice and identifies the abilities in the staff team to support vulnerable people. A training plan has been produced and staff are provided with regular training to meet the needs of residents. Staff files also demonstrated that staff are well trained with current certificates relating to; first aid, health and safety, safe handling, abuse awareness and fire safety in place. A system is in place to ensure appropriate employment techniques are used when employing new staff. This is important in ensuring vulnerable people are safe. Staff commented in the returned surveys that; care plans are updated monthly weekly or daily Dependant on need. That care plans are always well detailed so that following any time off continuity of care is provided. There are always training courses available Evidence: and all staff are invited to attend. The manager is available at all times for advice and support. The home is well staffed. Professional visitors commented that care staff demonstrate a caring manner with residents. That staff treat residents as individuals and with respect. That staff encourage independence and have effective good communication. 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 . A competent qualified manager supports residents. A system of self-assessment is in place to promote good care practice. The home is safe for residents. Evidence: The manager has many years experience working with people with a learning disability. She has a Diploma in Management of Care Services and has completed a 2year course in Psychology. She also has the Registered Managers Award. She is committed to providing good quality care and constantly assesses the quality of care provided using regular meetings with residents and staff and questionnaires for visitors to the home. The home has achieved the Investors in People Award. All of this promotes the quality of the home for the residents. Professional visitors to the home commented; Individual care is excellent. There is a high quality of personal attention. Good standards of privacy and dignity are maintained. The home is safe for residents. Certificates to demonstrate hoisting equipment is regularly checked and electrical appliances are safe were in place. Periodic fire checks are carried out and staff are instructed regularly in matters of fire safety. Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes  No  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 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 Description 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 Description 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 1 32 Mature staff without a vocational qualification should have their competence assessed by management and this should be recorded in their training file. 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. - 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!