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Inspection on 13/07/06 for Westholme

Also see our care home review for Westholme for more information

This inspection was carried out on 13th July 2006.

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.

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

Westholme is good at providing a home in the community for a small group of adults with low to moderate care needs. Residents are treated as individuals and supported to live as full and varied and independent life, inside the home and outside of it, as is personally safe and comfortable for each resident. Management of the home said, "the home has a good atmosphere and appearance. Staff know the residents very well and that helps. If there are problems they get sorted out straight away. There is good support, from the company and the staff." Staff said, "Residents are not restricted. We`re not institutional. We are flexible. We are friendly, and people have their freedom." One resident said, "You`ve got your own freedom, not like where I was before, and that suits me better. You can go out if you want. You tell the staff. You don`t just stay out all night, which is fair enough. There are no restrictions. I`ve never looked back since I came here." Another resident said,"Staff make me feel welcome and at home."

What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff said, ", "I think the home has improved for staff and for residents. The standards have been raised a little and there`s more support. The new care plans are a bit more helpful. They give a clearer picture of the level of care and support needed. It`s a better way of going about things." Staff also thought the day-to-day and overall management of the home had improved, " The support is excellent. You can go to the manager or the owner. They get things done. They are straight onto it." " Supervisions have started again and appraisals and observation of practice, to make sure things are done in the same way. Doing that and doing the care plans makes you feel more involved and more part of the home." Management thought, " The goals of the home have been lifted. Staff are more involved with care plans and key working. It`s more about goals and working towards these using the daily notes and monthly reviews." Fire drills records not available at the last inspection were available at this inspection.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Westholme 61 Station Road Stanley Durham DH9 0JP Lead Inspector Gavin Purdon Unannounced Inspection 13th July 2006 10:30 Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Adults 18-65. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Westholme Address 61 Station Road Stanley Durham DH9 0JP 01207 233386 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) Lifestyles - Care & Support Ltd Tracey Dodds Care Home 8 Category(ies) of Learning disability (7), Learning disability over registration, with number 65 years of age (1) of places Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 13th February 2006 Brief Description of the Service: Westholme is registered for up to 8 adults with learning disabilities and does not provide nursing care. The building is a 3 storey house with 6 single bedrooms and one twin room. It has 1 lounge and 1 dining room. The building is not suitable for people with additional physical disabilities. The home is in northwest County Durham, close to Stanley town centre, with access to public transport and local amenities. Garden areas are located to the front and to one side of the property. At the time of the inspection 8 residents were living at Westholme. The home is owned by the private company Lifestyles - Care and Support Ltd. Weekly fees charged by the home are in line with local authority payment rates, ranging from £378.50p to £528.00p Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. The inspection took place at short notice to the home and was conducted over the late morning to late afternoon period. There was an opportunity to meet with the home owner’s representative, the home’s registered manager, and the two members of the care team on duty. Before the inspection most of the home’s residents sent written survey forms about their views on life in the home to the inspector, and the manager also provided written up to date information about the day to day running of the home. Care and management records kept on the premises were inspected. 3 residents who agreed or asked to be interviewed were spoken with individually and in private, and some other residents were seen and spoken to more briefly. One resident showed the inspector around the public and communal areas of the home and some of the personal accommodation that residents agreed to let the inspector see. The overview formed by this inspection was of a good home that recognises its own strengths and successes, but is still very much interested in developing these. What the service does well: Westholme is good at providing a home in the community for a small group of adults with low to moderate care needs. Residents are treated as individuals and supported to live as full and varied and independent life, inside the home and outside of it, as is personally safe and comfortable for each resident. Management of the home said, “the home has a good atmosphere and appearance. Staff know the residents very well and that helps. If there are problems they get sorted out straight away. There is good support, from the company and the staff.” Staff said, “Residents are not restricted. We’re not institutional. We are flexible. We are friendly, and people have their freedom.” One resident said, “You’ve got your own freedom, not like where I was before, and that suits me better. You can go out if you want. You tell the staff. You don’t just stay out all night, which is fair enough. There are no restrictions. I’ve never looked back since I came here.” Another resident said,“Staff make me feel welcome and at home.” Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 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. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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 Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made on available evidence including a visit to the home. Anyone thinking about being a resident at Westholme has their care needs looked at by a social worker or other care professional. Normally potential residents do come to visit the home before any final decision is made about living there. This means everyone is clear about what kind of care is needed, and whether Westholme is the place to provide it. EVIDENCE: The manager said that admissions are supported by a social worker or some other professional who can provide a clear picture of the potential resident’s care needs. Care assessment documents from a recent admission were looked at, and these contained many helpful details that confirmed admissions as a careful and well considered process. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the home. Residents benefit from having a care plan that suits them personally and helps them to live their lives in a way that they are comfortable with. Residents are helped to live their own lives, to make their own decisions, and to follow these through with whatever assistance from staff at the home is necessary. Residents are helped to have as much independence in their everyday lives as they feel safe and comfortable with. EVIDENCE: The 2 care plans looked at were very positive and practical. They were for residents with quite different personal needs and wishes. Both care plans used the same approach but were different in their content, based on what those 2 residents wanted for themselves and how that could be provided now or worked towards in future. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 Staff said, “residents are not restricted. We’re not institutional. We are flexible. We are friendly, and people have their freedom.” A resident said, “You’ve got your own freedom, not like where I was before, and that suits me better. You can go out if you want. You tell the staff. You don’t just stay out all night, which is fair enough. There are no restrictions. I’ve never looked back since I came here.” Staff said, “We want residents to be as self sufficient as they can. If they can manage themselves fine. If they need the support we can give it. The levels of care and support vary a lot. The new care plans are a bit more helpful in giving a clearer picture of that.” Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. Residents benefit from the opportunity to be involved in everyday adult occupations, including work and educational activities. Residents benefit from being able to use Westholme as a convenient base for community involvement and activity. Residents benefit from the opportunity to maintain family contact, friendships, and intimate personal relationships. Residents benefit from being treated as adults, being shown respect, and being expected and helped to behave as adults themselves. Residents enjoy good food in pleasant surroundings. EVIDENCE: The lifestyles of 2 residents were looked at in detail. This showed that on most weekdays both residents were involved with work and educational activities Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 that suited them. These included shop work, kitchen and cleaning work, cooking, art, and self care skills at a variety of sites away from Westholme. The manager described how 2 residents were involved in various community based activities, from evening social clubs and local outings to setting up and managing a bank account. A resident said, “I get out and about. There’s a blues festival the first Saturday in August and I’m going to that. I go to a club on Tuesdays and Thursdays and do woodwork Mondays and Tuesdays. I’m working with oak tree wood. Wednesdays I do writing and reading with Social Services. I do art and I make toys.” The manager described how the home tries to support family links and other friendships and personal relationships for residents, making sure these are as well planned, well supported and as successful as they can be. Residents talked about their boyfriends and girlfriends visiting them at Westholme, and going to visit them elsewhere. They also talked about going on holiday and keeping in touch with their relatives and friends. The residents, manager, and staff, thought meals and mealtimes were enjoyable, and that residents had a lot of choice in deciding menus. The meals in the 2 weekly menus seen had a lot of variety and sounded quite tasty and filling. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. Residents benefit from being cared for as individuals who are supported in different ways and to different levels, according to their own particular needs and wishes. Residents’ health care needs are met in a tactful manner that residents are comfortable with. Individually, residents are helped to have some control over their medication. The extent of that varies from resident to resident to keep the right balance between independence and safety. Overall staff training, policies, and procedures on medication provide all residents with necessary protection. EVIDENCE: The manager said, “Different residents have different personal and health care needs, some need very little support, others need more. You have to support people in an appropriate way. You encourage, accompany, or prompt. We listen to what people want. We try it, and if it doesn’t work we talk about it.” Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Management and staff talked about residents’ health needs in a way that showed that residents’ wishes and feelings were very carefully considered. The home has quite a small team of care staff, and all staff on that team are trained in the safe handling of medicines. Staff were aware of what medication the residents discussed were receiving, and why that medication was needed. The home works very closely with a range of outside health care professionals, including consultants, GP’s, and community nurse services. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. Residents know that what they think does matter, and they know they will be listened to and supported. Residents know that if they are worried or need help there are people they can speak to about that. EVIDENCE: Talking to residents, to the manager and staff, and looking at the care plans, showed how much the home is interested in seeing things from the residents’ point of view. The home is interested in recording and using residents’ views as the starting point for providing care. Listening to and acting on residents views is part of the daily life of the home. Residents said if they had any concerns or just wanted to talk something over they could see their key worker, the named member of staff responsible for keeping track of their care plan and general welfare, or go to the manager or the home owner and they felt quite happy about that. Staff described how in small everyday ways they supported and protected the rights and interests of residents so that no one was ignored, left out, or overruled. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Some interesting plans were mentioned during the inspection about how the home was trying to make it easier for residents to let it be known they were particularly happy or unhappy about something in their lives. A sample check was made of a resident’s money held by the home for safe keeping. Records and receipts were seen and the actual amount of money held balanced with those records. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 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. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. Residents live in a safe, comfortable and convenient home. Residents’ safety and comfort are protected by good standards of hygiene and cleanliness. EVIDENCE: The manager said no current resident faced difficulties of access, ease of use, or lack of comfort anywhere in the home. Residents said westholme was always clean and pleasant. The inspection included a tour of the building with one of the residents, covering the public and communal areas of the home and bedrooms that residents said they were happy to let the inspector see. The home looked clean Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 and comfortable. Décor looked good to adequate, with some areas scheduled for refurbishment. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 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, 33,34, 35, & 36. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. Residents benefit from the support provided by a very well-qualified staff group. Staffing levels allow the care team to work very effectively on behalf of residents. Residents would be protected from unsuitable care staff job applicants by the home’s recruitment and selection practices. Staff have a programme of training and development that ensures residents’ needs are understood and met in a way that benefits residents. Staff feel well supported by management, which helps them provide the right kind of care for residents, and the new formal supervision sessions and records now in use help with this. EVIDENCE: 100 of the home’s care staff now hold the NVQ 2 qualification in Care. Recent examples of the staff rota were looked at with the manager. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 There are 8 residents in the home at present. Typically there are 2 care staff on duty on weekday mornings until 10.30am. there is 1 on duty from then until 3.00pm. There are then 2 care staff on duty until 10pm, with 1 member of staff on sleep in duty at night. Over and above this, the manager is on site either mornings and afternoons, or afternoons and evenings. Weekend patterns are slightly different, and if additional staffing hours are required for a particular reason, then these can be provided. Weekly care hours range between 230 and 260 for 8 residents, 2 of whom are of medium dependency and 6 of low dependency. Making an allowance for the substantial amount of time residents spend away from the home during the week these hours are in excess of those set out in the Residential Forum staffing calculations for Care Homes For Younger Adults, particularly when no part of the manager’s hours is included in the calculation. All of the home’s staff have been in post for at least 6 or 7 years. As such there has been no recent recruitment and selection. The manager is aware of the need to protect residents through careful vetting procedures, and holds on file records of CRB checks for all existing staff. The Westholme staff group has achieved the excellent standard of all of its members having the NVQ in Care qualification. The staff group has an active interest in training and development. In the past 12 months work has been done within the Learning Disability Awards Framework, NVQ levels 2,3, and 4, Health & Safety, Medication Administration and Moving & Handling. Further training events are planned for late 2006 and early 2007, including first aid and POVA. The manager felt well supported by advice and guidance from the owners of the home and staff felt well supported by the manager. Staff and management confirmed that the formal supervision and appraisal process was now underway and that they felt comfortable and positive with how this was going. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 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): 37, 39, & 42. Quality in this outcome area was good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to the home. The home now benefits from permanent management arrangements that support the residents and staff. The home consults with residents relatives and staff about the quality of its service and how satisfied people are with this, but is still working on ways to improve that process. There are organised and formal checks to ensure the building is a safe and comfortable place to live. Fire drill records not available at the last inspection were seen and were properly kept. EVIDENCE: The home’s owner, manager, residents and staff said that they were happy with how the home is run. Staff commented, “I think the home has improved Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 for staff and for residents. The standards have been raised a little and there’s more support.” Since the last inspection the manager designate has become the registered manager and is working towards the Registered Manager’s Award. Discussion with staff, residents, and the manager confirmed that people are consulted about the running of the home and the care provided. The home is still planning to develop its quality assurance methods, but priority has been given to improving other procedures, and evidence was seen of these improvements in key documents such as care planning records. Records were seen relating to fire safety matters and these were properly kept. The home has had recent advice from the Fire safety Officer regarding fire doors and this advice is being followed. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults 18-65 have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 X 2 3 3 X 4 X 5 X INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No Score 22 3 23 3 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 24 3 25 X 26 X 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 31 X 32 4 33 4 34 3 35 3 36 3 CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score 3 3 X 3 X LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 3 13 3 14 X 15 4 16 3 17 3 PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Score 3 3 3 X 3 X 3 X X 3 X Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 NO Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 2 Refer to Standard YA37 YA39 Good Practice Recommendations The registered manager should continue with the plan to achieve the Registered Manager’s Award. The home should continue with its plan to put together and making available a summary of views about the service provided, together with an outline of the home’s achievements and intentions. Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 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 Westholme DS0000066176.V300956.R03.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26 - 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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