Inspection on 14/08/08 for Valerie`s Rest Home

This inspection was carried out on 14th August 2008.

CSCI found this care home to be providing an Good 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

Valerie`s Rest Home 24/07/06

Valerie`s Rest Home 27/09/05

Valerie`s Rest Home 20/04/05

Valerie`s Rest Home 07/10/04

Similar services:

St Vincents

Hamilton House

The Cotswold Home

Newbeech House

Winton House

Little Haven Nursing & Residential Home

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 31/03/2009.

Inspecting for better lives Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Valerie`s Rest Home 20 Ravenswood Avenue Crowthorne Berkshire RG45 6AY     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service 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: Sally Newman     Date: 1 4 0 8 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. the things that people have said are important to them: They reflect 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 Older People 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 2 of 25 Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report CSCI General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2008) 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. www.csci.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 25 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Valerie`s Rest Home 20 Ravenswood Avenue Crowthorne Berkshire RG45 6AY 01344761701 01344761701 valeriesrch@aol.com Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable): S.E.S Care Homes Ltd The registered provider is responsible for running the service Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Annette Chuter Type of registration: Number of places registered: care home 17 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Valeries Care Home is a large detached Victorian house set within a private residential road within the village of Crowthorne, and is within 5 minutes walk from local shops, post office, railway station and bus stop. The home has thirteen single bedrooms (five have en-suite) and two double bedrooms. The rooms are arranged over two floors, and a passenger lift is available. The building is not suitable for service users who are wheelchair dependant due to some premises restriction. There is a large Victorian-style conservatory that leads from the main Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 25 Over 65 17 0 Brief description of the care home dining area and is used as a lounge. The home has an attractive rear garden with plenty of natural shade afforded by mature trees, and seating is provided. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 25 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: two star good service Choice of home Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: This was an unannounced inspection conducted over the course of 3 days and included a visit to the service of 4 1/4 hours duration. Time was spent observing practise in the service, talking to 7 service users and staff, including the cook and the senior member of staff on duty. Two relatives of service users visiting the home and a Community staff nurse were spoken to in private. The inspector had a brief telephone conversation with the manager who was unable to attend the home at the time of the site visit. A range of documentation was seen and a tour of the premises was undertaken. Information held about the service by the Commission and information provided by the home prior to the inspection was used in the formulation of this report. All outcome areas were good with two areas being judged as excellent. Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 25 No requirements or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. The provider has a range of polices and procedures relating to equality and diversity. From the evidence seen the inspector considers that this service would be able to provide a service that meets the needs of individuals of various religious, racial or cultural needs. No complaints have been received about this service by the Commission since the last inspection. Fees range from 451 ponds to 500 pounds per week. What the care home does well: What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 25 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 6) Health and personal care (standards 7 - 11) Daily life and social activities (standards 12 - 15) Complaints and protection (standards 16 - 18) Environment (standards 19 - 26) Staffing (standards 27 - 30) Management and administration (standards 31 - 38) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 25 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 and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. 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 them 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. All prospective service users have their needs appropriately assessed before a place is offered. Evidence: It was evident from the 4 care plans seen that the service completes pre-admission assessment documentation and obtains information from a range of appropriate sources. Local Authority Social Services care management assessments were on individual service user files where the Local Authority was funding the placement. Where prospective service users were self-funding the service uses a pre-admission assessment document that records all the relevant information required in order that appropriate care can be given once the service user moves into the service. In discussion with service users it was clear that visits to the home are an integral part of the pre-admission process. One service user confirmed that she did not want to visit Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 25 Evidence: the service before moving in but wanted her family to make all the necessary arrangements and this was respected. This service does not provide intermediate care. Care Homes for Older People Page 11 of 25 Health and personal care 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 health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they 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. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them 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 good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. All service users have a plan of care that details their health and personal care needs. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their privacy is respected. Evidence: Care plans contained appropriate information that was easily accessible. The needs of service users was clearly indicated and guidance for staff on how these needs were to be met was provided in plain English. Personal profiles provided extremely useful information about individuals preferences and likes and dislikes in a range of areas including personal care, interests, mobility and religious beliefs. Of those care plans seen all contained a contract. A list of medication taken and all hospital and health professional contacts was maintained. There was evidence that regular reviews of care plans take place. Risk assessments were in evidence and were individually focused. Daily contact sheets are maintained for each service user. The service was asked to consider expanding the entries in the contact sheets possibly by using prompts so that a fuller picture of the Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 25 Evidence: daily activities undertaken by each service user was recorded. The Community nurse spoken to, although not overly familiar with the service confirmed that she is always welcomed, that a nice atmosphere exists at every visit and that staff are knowledgeable and provide her with the information that she needs. The service uses a monitored dosage system for medication and only staff who are appropriately trained administer medication to service users. It was confirmed by the shift leader that the pharmacy does provide a periodic pharmacist visit to assess the medication arrangements within the home. A report was seen dated 30.1.08 that was completed by a Pharmacist from the Primary Care Trust and concluded that the service meets the national minimum standard in relation to medication. Information provided by the manager confirmed that there had been no medication errors in the previous 12 months. The service does have a policy relating to the rights and dignity of service users. Staff were observed to address service users appropriately and with respect. Service users spoken to confirmed that staff are always polite and respect their right to privacy. Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 25 Daily life and social activities 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 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. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. 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. All service users can experience a varied lifestyle, maintain contact with family and friends and make decisions for themselves. The food provided in the home is healthy and balanced for service users. Evidence: Service users confirmed that they go to bed and get up in the mornings when they want to. They can receive visitors when they want and there was sound evidence in the day book that there are frequent and regular visitors to the home to see individual service users. It was evident from talking to staff and service users that regular activities are provided in the home including bingo, quizzes, keep fit, board games and nail care etc. Staff meeting minutes confirmed that staff are encouraged by the manager to ensure that planned activities take place. Several service users regularly attend a variety of day services locally. In addition for those service users who wish to attend church or other places of worship they are supported and enabled to go with the use of volunteer drivers. Occasional outside trips take place and this year there has been a trip for bell ringing and a boat trip. Also service users are periodically invited to local schools to Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 25 Evidence: attend concerts and transport is arranged by the home on these occasions. Birthdays and religious festivals are observed and photos taken at a number of parties held within the home were in evidence throughout the lounge area. Several service users smoke and a designated area has been made available for them to use within the home during colder months and days. Service users can bring personal possessions into the home when they move in. There was evidence of this within the individual bedrooms seen and a checklist of clothes and personal effects was seen within care plans. The home has a dedicated cook who comes to prepare the main meal of the day and makes the initial preparations for tea. Of all the service users spoken to all felt that they had no complaints about the food and several were complimentary. Three service users confirmed that the quality of the food provided had improved since the current cook had started at the home. Service users confirmed that they are consulted about menus. The menus were seen and they indicated that a variety of different foods are provided. The menu is based on a 4 weekly revolving cycle and the shopping done in consultation with the manager. Fresh vegetables are provided every day. The cook in discussion confirmed that she is aware of individual preferences and that overall plain and easy to chew foods tend to be requested. She also confirmed that she had received food safety training and held a relevant City and Guilds qualification. A food safety inspection was conducted on 28.5.08 by the local Environmental Health department when a 3 star rating was awarded. Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 25 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. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. 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. Service users have their views listened to and acted upon and they are protected from abuse. Evidence: The complaints record was seen. It contained entries that had been appropriately addressed with the outcome clearly recorded. In discussion with service users it was apparent that they knew who to speak to if they were not satisfied. Two service users gave examples of situations they were not happy with and both confirmed that their concerns had been responded to their satisfaction. The senior member of staff on duty confirmed that all staff receive training in the protection of vulnerable adults. It was clear from discussion with staff in private that they provided a sound understanding of the principles and potential for abuse and were clear about what action they needed to take should a suspicion of abuse arise or an allegation be made directly to them. Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 25 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, 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. 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. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment that is clean and hygienic. Evidence: A tour of the premises was undertaken that included sight of 5 bedrooms. The home was clean and tidy throughout and provides a homely environment for service users. The manager confirmed in information provided prior to the visit that the home does have written assessments in relation to substances used in the home that could be hazardous to health. The home uses a handy man for every day maintenance issues and service users confirmed that he was a regular visitor to the home and assisted them with shelves and putting up pictures etc. One bedroom door was wedged open by a rolled up magazine. The manager confirmed on the telephone that a door guard had been ordered as the occupant of this bedroom liked his bedroom door to remain open during the day. It was noted that some decoration was required to be undertaken in some areas of the communal space. It was confirmed that this was an area that the manager was working towards improving. There is a spacious garden to the rear and service users spoken to confirmed that it is Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 25 Evidence: used during the better weather by those service users who like to sit outside. There was a table and chairs outside of the dining room that was used during the course of the inspection by those service users who smoked. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 25 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 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 to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. 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. Service users have their needs met by a competent and well trained staff team. The recruitment practises protect service users. Evidence: Staff spoken to felt that there were sufficient staff on duty both at night and in the day and this was confirmed by those service users spoken to who stated that their needs are met by the numbers of staff on duty. Staff were described as kind, very good and approachable by those service users spoken to. Staff meeting records were seen and the last recorded meeting was 31.1.08. The senior member of staff on duty could not get access to staff files in the absence of the manager. However, it was confirmed by the senior and within information provided by the service prior to the visit that a rolling programme of staff training is provided including National Vocational Qualification training. Of those staff on duty one had achieved NVQ 2 and 3 and was working towards NVQ 4, another was working on her NVQ 2 and a new member of staff confirmed she had already achieved her NVQ 2 and was in date for fire training, food hygiene, dietary needs and protection of vulnerable adults. The recent member of staff confirmed that she had not started working at the home Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 25 Evidence: until she had received an up to date criminal records bureau check and had provided 2 written references. She also confirmed that she had completed an application form and had been interviewed prior to a position being offered and was currently undertaking induction training whilst being on a 3 months probationary period. Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 25 Management and administration 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 led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate 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. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. 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 home is well managed and is run in the best interests of service users. The financial interests of service users are safeguarded and they are protected by the health and safety systems in the home. Evidence: The manager is qualified and registered with the Commission. She was described as professional and approachable by staff, service users and relatives spoken to. The service undertakes regular annual reviews of the service using service user and relative surveys. This exercise has just been undertaken and a range of completed surveys is being received. The senior staff member confirmed that after allowing for a further period of time so that the maximum number of surveys can be returned the results will be collated and acted upon. Residents meetings are held regularly and provide a formal platform for service users to air their views about the service. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 25 Evidence: Information provided by the service prior to the visit to the home confirmed that they do have a policy relating to the management of service users monies, personal valuables and financial affairs. A range of health and safety checks is undertaken. Records were seen that confirmed that regular checks on the fire alarm system, fire fighting equipment and servicing of the boiler and lift were conducted. A fire risk assessment was seen. In addition information provided by the service prior to the visit confirmed that there are servicing contracts in place for the electrical circuits, portable electrical appliances, gas appliances and waste disposal. Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 25 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 25 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 Requirement 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 Requirement 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 Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 25 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 © (2008) 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. Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 25 - 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!