Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 15th December 2009. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Excellent.
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.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for Acorn House.
Annual service review
Name of Service: Acorn House The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: three star excellent service 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 8 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 review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.
Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?
No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Susan Taylor Date of this annual service review: 1 3 1 1 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: 2 Eastbourne Terrace Westward Ho! Bideford Devon EX39 1HG 01237420777 01237423623 arkenquiries@hotmail.co.uk Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
Name of registered provider(s): Name of registered manager (if applicable) Ark Care Homes Ltd Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Room 6 must not be used to accommodate a service user until:- 1. En-suite facilities are fully fitted in the identified adjacent room 2. Certified by Building Control department 3. Approved by the Fire Authority 4. National Minimum Standards are met The home is to be registered to accommodate 6 service users who have a learning disability and are within the age range of 18-65 years. Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the No service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service Acorn House is registered to accommodate 6 residents who have a learning disability and are within the age range of 18 - 65 years. The home comprises of a three storey terraced double fronted property situated in the
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 6 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 8 seaside village of Westward Ho! The house is in a single terrace of houses situated on a quiet road (access only) to the front. Direct access is provided at one end of the road onto Northam burrows. At the other end, the road joins with another, which provides a level walk to the beach and village amenities. The house has a pleasant private garden to the front and an enclosed secure courtyard to the rear. The home has its own transport for residents and residents can also use local transport services. The current inspection report is displayed on the notice board in the staff office - all people in the home have access to this room, the inspection report can also be made available to prospective residents upon request. At the last key inspection the fees people pay for living at Acorn House ranged from £1,795 to £2,516.25. In addition to the fees, residents also pay for chiropody, some activities - such as a privately run day centre, for toiletries and magazines and newspapers. The provider should be contacted for up to date information about current fees. Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review:
What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at all the information that we have received, or asked for, since the last key inspection or annual service review. This included: The annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) that was sent to us by the service. The AQAA is a self-assessment that focuses on how well outcomes are being met for people using the service. It also gave us some numerical information about the service. 2 surveys returned to us by a person using the service. What the service has told us about incidents, which are notifications to the Commission. The previous key inspection, which was on 20th November 2008 at which the quality rating EXCELLENT was awarded. Other information we have received from the provider during the year. What has this told us about the service? The home sent us their annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) when we asked for it. It was detailed and gave us the information we asked for. The provider has told us that changes have been made to the admission and assessment process that enabled a prospective resident to visit the home 3 times before deciding to move in. Additionally, care documentation has been improved so that it is more accessible for the people that use the service. In the AQAA the provider has told us that as a result of listening to people they know hold more informal gatherings to discuss important events and day to day life at Acorn House. Additionally, there has been more involvement with local community groups and activities. 2 people that live at the home returned surveys. They tell us that the staff always treat them well and listen and act on their wishes. They also referred to having choice and making decisions about what they do each day and at weekends. This involvement is promoted by regular informal meetings, an open door policy of the management, access to advocates and quality assurance questionnaires. The AQAA gave examples of how the management had put into place ideas suggested by people living at the home. One person in the survey commented I frequently have the chance to go home and see my family and they come to see me and Im going away on holiday. Information provided in the AQAA tells us that there is a very high retention rate of staff. 71 percent of staff holds the NVQ award and there is a good training and development programme. This ensures that people receive consistent support and are cared for by suitably qualified and experienced staff. No complaints or concerns have been received by the Commission in the last year. The Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 service has not notified us of any incidents or serious complaints since the last inspection. However, from the information provided in the AQAA there have been 5 admissions to the Accident and Emergency unit and also 2 incidents that needed a person to be restrained. All of these incidents should have been reported to the Commission, so that we are notified about what action has been taken and why to ensure that people are safeguarded. The provider has recently told us that a permanent manager has been appointed and an application for registration will be sent to the Commission before the end of the year. Acorn House continues to provide excellent outcomes for the people who use it. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? We are not going to change our inspection plan, and will do a review of Acorn House before 13th November 2010. However we can inspect the service at any time if we have concerns about the quality of the service or the safety of the people using the service. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 6 Reader Information
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