Inspection on 09/06/05 for Victoria House Residential Home

This inspection was carried out on 9th June 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 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

Victoria House Residential Home 18/04/07

Victoria House Residential Home 12/10/05

Victoria House Residential Home 24/01/05

Victoria House Residential Home 07/09/04

Victoria House Residential Home 02/03/04

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 09/07/2008.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Victoria House Residential Home 30-31 Victoria Embankment Darlington Durham DL1 5JR Lead Inspector Jean Pegg Unannounced 9 June 2005 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 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 Stationary 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. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Victoria House Residential Home Address 30-31 Victoria Embankment Darlington Durham DL1 5JR 01325 244960 01325 244961 Telephone number Fax number Email address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Limited Ms Amanda Atkins CRH 7 Category(ies) of LD Learning disability (7) registration, with number of places Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: None Date of last inspection 24 January 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Victoria House belongs to Castlebeck Care (Teesdale Limited) Group and provides residential accomodation and care for seven service users with a learning disability aged 18 - 64 years. The home was once two houses in a long row of terraced houses in a residential area of Darlington. The home is within easy walking distance of the town centre, bus station and railway station. The home is also within easy walking distance of a large public park. Inside, the home provides single bedroom accomodation each with private wash handbasin, two large lounge areas, two kitchen diners, three toilets, one bath and one shower room. There is also spearate staff sleeping in accomodation. Outside, the home has small gardens to the front of the house and a yard area at the back of the house. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This unannounced inspection took place as planned on Thursday 9th June 2005 from 10.30am until 4.30pm. All seven service users were spoken to at some point during the day and six of them completed comment cards which were sent in after the inspection. Five staff, one advocate and one private tutor were spoken to as part of the inspection. The day was spent talking to people, watching what was going on and looking closely at records and documents in the home. The registered manager was not on duty the day of the inspection, but sent some additional information in when she returned to work. The results of the set questions asked in the service user comment cards show that the six service users who completed them were happy living at the home, felt well cared for, agreed that staff treated them well and respected their privacy, agreed that the home provided suitable activities, liked the food, felt safe and knew who to speak to if they were unhappy with their care. What the service does well: The home completes very detailed assessments so that every part of the service user and their needs are thought about before a care plan is written. The use of the Person Centred Planning approach used within the home deserves special mention as it was clear from the records kept that every effort had been made to work towards achieving service user personal goals. This would help to make service users feel good about them selves. The staff within the home try hard to help service users lead a good life. Service users spoken to were all happy in the house and the feeling within the home was very welcoming. Service users wrote things in the comment cards like “I like having my art lessons with my tutor”, “ I like having my own room” “I like to do nice work in daily living skills” “ I like going to the pub for a drink”. Staff put a lot of thought into providing activities and teaching service users new skills in a way that shows respect for them as adult individuals in their own home. This is likely to make service users feel more confident. Service users are regularly reminded on how to make a complaint and are asked about complaints at least every three months so that everyone has the chance to complain if they wish. Staff and service users have worked together to make and keep a very pleasant and relaxed home to live in and make visitors feel welcome in which is why the service users say they like being there. As one service user said “ Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 6 the staff go out of their way to make it nice for you , this is the only place (I have been) where I can have what I want and I can go out whenever I like” What has improved since the last inspection? 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. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 Standards Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 1&2 The home has provided a good level of information to help service users, relatives and other professionals to make an informed choice about the home. The two guides have been written in different styles so that they are more appropriate for the people who will be reading them. The file checked showed that the home has completed a thorough assessment of the service user’s needs and appears to have tried to involve the service user as much as possible in the assessment and development of the care plan so that all parties involved understand what will happen and why. EVIDENCE: Updated copies of the Statement of Purpose and Service User’s Guide were sent to the inspector after the visit to show that the recommended changes had been made. These two documents were checked against the minimum standards and found to be satisfactory. One service users plan was checked in detail. The assessment undertaken is very detailed and covers the areas suggested in the minimum standard. The health assessment had been reviewed recently and a medication consent form signed by the service user. A very detailed service user plan has been developed which, having spoken to the service user concerned, is known to the service user. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 6,7,8,9 &10 Clear service user plans are written and are known to service users. These plans are reviewed regularly to make sure that they are still relevant for the person concerned. Staff are focussed on the needs of service users and have taken a lot of time to make sure that service user wants and needs are met either within the home or by getting expert help from outside of the home to make things happen. This shows that service users are put first and helped to live a lifestyle they are satisfied with. Service users are involved in some aspects of running of the home for example, shopping, cooking and household chores and their opinions are sought during house meetings, however, service user feedback indicates that there are some decision making areas where they are not as involved as they would like to be. Risk assessments are in place that enable service users to take reasonable risks and enjoy a lifestyle that is acceptable to them by being able to do the things that they want to do. The home has systems in place to protect service user confidentiality and staff showed behaviours and attitudes that were consistent with good practice in Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 10 this area of not sharing personal information with people who do not need to know it. EVIDENCE: One service users plan was looked at in detail and three others were looked at in parts to compare. Service users were also spoken to and asked about parts of their care plans to check if they understood and agreed to what was written. There is evidence that service users are involved as much as possible in the development of care plans and particularly in the development of their person centred care plans that focus on their ambitions for the future. Care plans showed that arrangements had been made for some service users to have an advocate and another a private tutor to coach them in art work. Both the advocate and art tutor were seen and spoken to at the home. Service users manage their own finances with support from staff. One service user spoke of how the manager had helped her to get her full entitlements from the Department of Work and Pensions. The staff within the home have re written documents like the complaints procedure, medication instructions and statements of terms and conditions in formats that are appropriate for service users. There were also examples of personal prompts in individual bedrooms reminding service users about a range of different things for example, smoking, daily living prompts etc. Service users were able to explain what these prompts meant. Service users spent time with a carer planning a menu for the following week. Comments made on the service user comment cards also suggest that service users enjoy meals out and take away meals which tend to happen on a weekend. All of the service users indicated that they liked the food. A house meeting is held every Friday and the notes made at these meetings were seen. From the service user comment cards, four service users indicated that they would like to be more involved in decision making within the home. The home has risk assessments in place for service users which detail identified risks and actions to minimise risk. These are reviewed regularly. The home has also produced workbooks for service users that are aimed to help them understand health and safety issues within the home. The home has a clear policy of what to do if service users go missing from the home. The home’s approach to confidentiality is explained in a range of different documents for example the Statement of Purpose, Service User Guide, Staff Handbook and main policy and procedures file. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 &17. Service users are encouraged to develop and maintain independent living skills through involvement in normal everyday activities which are age appropriate. This approach is likely to build service user self esteem and be more relevant to them. Service users are given a lot of different opportunities to take part in activities which are valued by them. These activities have been commented on in the service user comment cards which suggests that service users are living a lifestyle they are content with. Staff ensure that service users have access to public and private transport which means that they can take part in the local community, enjoy leisure activities and interests and keep in contact with their families. Service users are happy with the leisure activities provided by the home which means that service users are happy with how they spend their time including holidays. Family links are maintained by staff who assist service users to visit or keep in contact with relatives and be part of the extended family. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 12 Routines are very flexible which helps to create a relaxed homely atmosphere. Menus are varied and reflect service user individual likes and dislikes which means that everyone can have what they want to eat. EVIDENCE: Each service user has a timetable that reminds them when to do certain jobs in the house like washing and ironing, cleaning bedrooms etc. The staff have also made booklets for service users to work through that help to develop knowledge about risks in the home. Service users also use computer packages in the home to help develop reading, writing and number skills. Service users spoke and wrote about the hobbies and interests that they enjoy. These comments are taken from the service user comment cards sent back after the visit. “I like going swimming” “ I like having my art lessons with my tutor” “ I like going to the theatre” “I like going out walking” “ I like going out for meals” “ I like to do nice work in daily living skills” “ I like the outings” “ I like going to the pub for a drink” “ I like having a party at Victoria House and cooking and buying clothes” Service users have bus passes and rail cards, the home also has its’ own car which is used to take service users on home visits out of the area. Staff spoke about the relationships that have developed with neighbours and local shop keepers. Staff and service users spoken to gave examples where staff had been flexible with their time to enable them to take part in different activities. One staff member came in on their day off to take a service user shopping for some new clothes for the planned holiday. Service users spoke about their holiday in Cornwall which is planned for late June. Service users were able to talk about the accommodation they would be staying in, who they would be travelling with and the type of things they would be doing when they got there. Everyone seemed to be looking forward to this holiday. Service user families tend to live out of the area but there was evidence of staff regularly escorting service users on visits and helping them to keep in contact with their families. The daily routine within the home appeared to be very relaxed with no strict timetables being followed. Service users were asked if they were happy to have their rooms checked and each one unlocked their doors and gave a tour of their room pointing out new things since the last visit. One service user wrote in their comment card “ I like having all my nice things in my room”. Service users were very relaxed and friendly going about their daily tasks and generally doing what they wanted to do. Some service users went out with a Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 13 member of staff to buy some sandwiches for lunch, this enabled them to practise daily living skills in the local community. Service users nutritional needs are monitored and staff give guidance when needed, but generally, service users plan menus and choose what they want to eat including takeaway meals on a weekend. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 14 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 standard(s) None None of these standards were assessed. EVIDENCE: Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 22 &23 Service users are encouraged to complain if they are unhappy about their care which means that service user are more likely to be able to express their views and have their concerns seen to. Policies and procedures concerning service user finances are being reviewed to protect service users receiving direct payments into their accounts. The introduction of new procedures will reduce the risk of financial abuse happening within the home protecting both service users and staff. EVIDENCE: The complaints procedure has been written in different formats and can be found in service user bedrooms, service user plans of care, Service User Guide and procedure files. There was evidence on service user files that the complaints procedure is gone through with each service user every three months. Six service users indicated on the service user comment cards that they knew who to talk to if they were unhappy with their care. When asked, service users could say who they would speak to if they wanted to complain. At the last inspection, it was recommended that the home updates it’s policy and procedure on service user finances to take into consideration the changes made to payment of benefits. None of the other procedures needed to be updated as they were all satisfactory. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 standard(s) 24, 225, 26, 27, 28, 29,&30 The home is suitable for it’s stated purpose and is well maintained providing a clean comfortable and homely place for service users to live in. Service user bedrooms are spacious providing sufficient space for personal possessions to be displayed and become a place for private relaxation. Service user bedrooms are well furnished and very individual in style reflecting the individual personalities of service users. The home has enough toilet and bathing areas to meet the needs of the current service users without any problems. Service users have access to five different communal areas for sitting and relaxation as well as their own bedrooms so there is no reason why anyone should not have privacy if they want it. The home needs very little environmental adaptations to meet service user needs and what it does have is adequate. The home is kept clean and hygienic making it a pleasant place to be in. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 17 EVIDENCE: The home has two big sitting rooms which have a connecting door. Each sitting room has good quality furniture in place and is decorated in a modern but homely manner. The home also has two kitchen diners. The home is situated close to all local amenities being within walking distance of the town centre. The home has a general handyman who visits each week to complete minor repairs. The manager also agrees a major maintenance and renewal programme with the organisation who own the home. Whilst the service users are on holiday a new kitchen is being fitted, pipe work in bedrooms replaced and two new bedroom carpets will be fitted. All seven service user bedrooms were seen and all were very individually decorated and furnished. All bedrooms are described as being at least 10sq. metres in the Statement of Purpose. The home has one bathroom, three toilets and one shower room for service users to use. The home does not need a lot of specialist equipment to meet current service user needs and what it does have is adequate. Staff have their own room to sleep in when covering night duty. The home has a domestic to look after the main cleaning duties in the house. Staff were able to show that the home provided adequate clothing and equipment to control the spread of infection. A member of staff said that “at least six of us (staff) have just completed a course on infection control” The home was very clean and only pleasant smells were present. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 18 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 35 the key standard to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) None None of these standards were assessed. EVIDENCE: Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 39, and 42 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) None None of these standards were assessed. EVIDENCE: Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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 3 3 x x x Standard No 22 23 ENVIRONMENT Score 3 3 INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 LIFESTYLES Score 4 3 3 3 3 Score Standard No 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 STAFFING Score 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Standard No 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 Score x x x x x x CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Victoria House Residential Home Score x x x x Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score x x x x x x x B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 21 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. 1. 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 8 Good Practice Recommendations The registered manager should consult service users to find out how they could be more invovled in making decsions within the home. Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection 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 Victoria House Residential Home B54 S817 Victoria House V223964 090605 Stage 4.doc Version 1.30 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. 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!