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Inspection on 09/11/05 for Valdigarth

Also see our care home review for Valdigarth for more information

This inspection was carried out on 9th November 2005.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. 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 found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report. These are things the inspector asked to be changed, but found they had not done. The inspector also made 1 statutory requirements (actions the home must comply with) as a result of this inspection.

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

Valdigarth offers its residents a chance to be cared for flexibly, as individuals, in a fairly small scale setting, by a staff team who residents know, and who know the residents. The home is well established and residents are well known in the local and surrounding communities. Residents are relaxed, confident, and very much at home. Comments included, " Its good here. I like it. I`m going over to the gym tonight. They have a rowing machine there." " This is my room, I have my own key. This is all my stuff." "I use my bedroom a lot. I have a collection of tapes and CD`s that I like to play." " This is my friend. She`s come for her tea." Comments from relatives, "Staff are very helpful. Problems are rare, but if there is one, they`ll sort it out." "I have to say the staff have been brilliant. They are helpful. They are understanding."

What has improved since the last inspection?

The manager has achieved the NVQ 4 in management award since the last inspection and the percentage of care staff with NVQ 2 is increasing. The manager thinks that staff training has benefited residents and supported a number of improvements. Residents are doing more things individually and socially, outside of the home. Set routines for residents have changed and guidance in care plans for staff to support residents` day-to-day care needs has improved.

What the care home could do better:

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Valdigarth Valdigarth 20 Granville Terrace Wheatley Hill Co Durham DH6 3JQ Lead Inspector Gavin Purdon Announced Inspection 9th November 2005 1.30 Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Valdigarth Address Valdigarth 20 Granville Terrace Wheatley Hill Co Durham DH6 3JQ 0191 5653376 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) Watermill Properties Arthur Galloway, Mr Brian Gibson Care Home 6 Category(ies) of Learning disability (6) registration, with number of places Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 7 December 2004 Brief Description of the Service: Valdigarth is a well-established care home for 6 adults with a learning disability. The home is situated in the main street of Wheatley Hill, with its many amenities, health centre, shops, pubs, community centre and good public transport links to Hartlepool, Sunderland, Peterlee and Durham etc. Accommodation is provided on ground floor and first floor. All bedrooms are single and reflect residents’ individual tastes. There is a large separate lounge and dining room and a garden to the rear of the home. At present decorative standards are poor in some areas of the home, although, major improvements are about to start. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This announced inspection lasted for half a day. The manager, residents, and residents’ relatives wrote to the inspector beforehand with information and opinions about life at Valdigarth. A senior representative of the owners of the home was present for part of the inspection. The registered manager assisted throughout. There was an opportunity to look at records, look at the building, and meet with residents in private. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: The big issue at present is the need for redecoration and refurbishment of the building, linked into a very major redevelopment plan. Fortunately this about to start. Resident comments showed the frustration and disappointment caused by the delays in improvement and the deterioration in bedroom décor. The expectation was that these improvements would be commenced in February 2005. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6 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. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 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 Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 2. People coming to live at Valdigarth have their care needs looked at carefully by the home. The home also listens to what people think about the idea of living there. This means that moving to Valdigarth is not a one sided decision. EVIDENCE: We talked to the home about the last 2 residents who moved into Valdigarth. We looked at how that was handled and what records were made. 1 admission took place over 2 weeks, and 1 over 2 months, but both examples gave people the chance to see what they thought about the home and what the home thought about them. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 6, 7, & 9. Residents are included in discussions about their care plans, and care plans are drawn up with their views in mind. Residents help decide for themselves how they are cared for and what they do for themselves. This is not decided for them. Residents are helped to learn new skills and have new experiences if that is what they want. EVIDENCE: Residents know that they have care plans and sign them to say they agree with the plan. Staff take the time to talk to residents at least once a month about their care plans. Residents have set care plans and fixed activities, but these are changeable, and do vary according to their different routines and their personal likes and dislikes. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10 Residents have their own interests and pastimes. They might go out to the gym alone, or to the baths with a member of staff, or to the pub with another resident, depending on individual choice and what risks might be involved. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12,13,15,16, & 17. Residents have plenty of opportunity for a wide range of work and leisure activities. Valdigarth is in the village centre of Wheatley Hill. The home and its residents are very well known locally. Residents who want to stay in touch with family do so. Residents are free to enjoy a wide range of friendships and personal relationships. Valdigarth puts a big emphasis on the individuality and independence of residents and encourages people to take responsibility for their actions. Diets are well planned, and meals and mealtimes are provided in an enjoyable way. EVIDENCE: Residents attend a good range of college, day centre, outdoor work, and shop placements and courses. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Residents are regulars at the local gym, pub, and swimming pool. There is good access from Wheatley Hill to activities further afield. Residents do invite friends to the home for tea. They have contact with family at the home, by phone, and are encouraged to visit and stay with family if that is what they want to do. Residents go out with friends and friends visit them at the home. Residents have different interests, different needs, and different lifestyles. Some residents are very active much of the time, and others are not. This is very much a matter of individual choice. Residents’ meals and mealtimes do have a routine, but the routine is flexible. Times and meals vary from resident to resident. What people generally like to eat, how much, and when, is well understood, but if residents want to change that for some reason, it is not a problem. The home is aware of healthy eating principles and individual resident health matters that diet could have an effect on. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 18,19, & 20. Staff work to individual care plans that set out what kind of help people need and the way they like to have that. Staff work hard to ensure that residents are healthy and happy. Residents can control their own medication if they are able and wish to. Residents are protected by well-developed and well-established arrangements for dealing with medicines. EVIDENCE: The care plans looked at included details of what help residents need and how best to provide that. The manager thought that care plans have improved at Valdigarth. These are more detailed than they were, and give better direction to staff about assistance residents need and don’t need. The care plans showed that residents’ healthcare is well organized and well supported. All residents have annual health checks; the home and its residents have good links with the local surgery, pharmacy, and other community services. Residents use some of these services independently or with support, as they wish. Some residents have access to specialist healthcare services on a planned basis. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 No residents manage their own medication independently, although some have done in the past. Presently no resident wishes to, or is able to. The medication storage and records looked at were secure and well maintained. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 22 & 23. Residents do have their own point of view about things. They are used with being listened to and having a say in what happens at the home. Residents are supported by staff who know them well, and who are trained in adult protection matters. EVIDENCE: Residents know that they can complain. The home does a yearly survey of what residents are happy about and not so happy about. 5 of the home’s 6 residents wrote to the inspector to say they did know who to complain to if they were unhappy about something. All staff have had the “No Secrets” training and are aware of adult protection issues and procedures. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 24 & 30 Valdigarth is safe, but its standards of comfort and homeliness have deteriorated with the delays in planned extension and improvement work. Present standards are only acceptable in the very short term, and in the light of expected improvements. Although some areas of the home are badly in need of redecorating and general improvement, Valdigarth is kept clean and tidy. EVIDENCE: The representative of the company owning Valdigarth told the inspector that the home is about to have some very major improvements. Some bedrooms are in very poor decorative order and resident comments made it clear that there is some unhappiness and frustration about this, and about the delays in the promised improvements. Parts of the home are about to be demolished and extended, and other parts altered and upgraded. There is significant wear and tear to the home in the meantime, but it is generally warm, clean and tidy. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 32,34, & 35 Staff at Valdigarth are improving their qualifications and competencies and improving the quality of service to their residents. Valdigarth makes sure that new staff are properly vetted before they start caring for residents. Residents are cared for by a staff group that has increased its skills and applied them to the day-to-day care in the home. EVIDENCE: The manager now has the NVQ 4 in management and the percentage of carers with NVQ 2 is about to pass the 50 mark expected by the national minimum standards. The records for the most recently employed member of staff showed that the home had followed proper recruitment, selection, and vetting procedures. The manager thought that the quality of care staff provide to residents is improving. Set routines are changing and different ways of providing care are being tried as staff strengths develop. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 Staffing levels during the working week are 2 members of staff between 8am and 9am, 1 member of staff between 9am and 4pm, 2 members of staff between 4pm and 11pm. 1 member of staff sleeps on the premises overnight. The waking day ends at 11pm and starts at 7am. On weekends there are 2 members of staff on duty throughout the waking day. Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19 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 at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Not assessed on this occasion. EVIDENCE: Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 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 CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No 1 2 3 4 5 Score X 3 X X X Standard No 22 23 Score 3 3 ENVIRONMENT INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score 3 3 X 3 X Standard No 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 STAFFING Score 2 X X X X X 3 LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 3 13 3 14 X 15 3 16 3 17 Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 Score X 3 X 3 3 X CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME 3 PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Valdigarth Score 3 3 3 X Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score X X X X X X X DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21 YES 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. 1 Standard YA24 Regulation 23 Requirement The premises must be kept in a good state of repair and reasonably decorated (incorporating previous unmet requirements & timescale of Feb 2005) Timescale for action 01/02/06 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 Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection Darlington Area Office No. 1 Hopetown Studios Brinkburn Road Darlington DL3 6DS National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 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 Valdigarth DS0000055219.V262862.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 23 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. 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