Care Home: Serenity House

Similar services:

• Hillview Farm
• Dalewood Respite Care
• Orchard,The
• REACH Upton Court Road
• Fairways
• Treloar College
• Kestrel House, St Anne`s Opportunity Centre,
• Pinta

What the care home does well The way that the service assesses people`s needs before they are admitted to the home is thorough. The staff support people to be as independent as possible, to make decisions about their lives and to take part in the running of the home. People who use the service have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities both in the home and the community and are encouraged to eat healthily. The home makes sure that people have access to health care services when they need them and provides emotional and practical support. There is a consistent and trained team of staff and an experienced and supportive manager, who listen to what the people who live in the home say they want. The home is run in a way that looks after people`s welfare and safety. People who use the service told us that they make choices about the things they do and that the staff treat them well. We asked what does the home do well and one person told us "Staff are friendly and kind. I am learning a lot - computers, reading, NVQ in horses, bowling. It`s a laugh. I love it here". What has improved since the last inspection? This was the first full key inspection of the service, which was registered in May 2008 although the first person to use the service did not move in until February 2009. What the care home could do better: There were no requirements or recommendations made as a result of this inspection. We asked what could the home do better and the person living there said "Build a conservatory". The service has identified further developments they plan to make, for example building an extension to increase the communal living space and finding more employment opportunities for people who use the service. Key inspection report Care homes for adults (18-65 years) Name: Address: Serenity House 40 the Quadrangle Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 4FW     The quality rating for this care home is:   two star good service A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home 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 full review a ‘key’ inspection. Lead inspector: Laurie Stride     Date: 2 8 1 0 2 0 0 9 This is a review of quality of outcomes that people experience in this care home. We believe high quality care should • • • • • Be safe Have the right outcomes, including clinical outcomes Be a good experience for the people that use it Help prevent illness, and promote healthy, independent living Be available to those who need it when they need it. The first part of the review gives the overall quality rating for the care home: • • • • 3 2 1 0 stars - excellent stars - good star - adequate star - poor There is also a bar chart that gives a quick way of seeing the quality of care that the home provides under key areas that matter to people. 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. that people have said are important to them: They reflect the things 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. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 2 of 28 We review the quality of the service against outcomes from the National Minimum Standards (NMS). Those standards are written by the Department of Health for each type of care service. Copies of the National Minimum Standards – Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) 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 mission of the Care Quality Commission is to make care better for people by: • Regulating health and adult social care services to ensure quality and safety standards, drive improvement and stamp out bad practice • Protecting the rights of people who use services, particularly the most vulnerable and those detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 • Providing accessible, trustworthy information on the quality of care and services so people can make better decisions about their care and so that commissioners and providers of services can improve services. • Providing independent public accountability on how commissioners and providers of services are improving the quality of care and providing value for money. Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection report Care Quality Commission General public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. www.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 3 of 28 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Serenity House 40 the Quadrangle Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 4FW 02380766008 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Type of registration: Number of places registered: Miss Tracy Jane Moore care home 3 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 learning disability Additional conditions: The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is 3. The registered person may provide the following category/ies of service only: Care home only - (PC) to service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admission to the home are within the following categories: Learning disability (LD). Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Serenity House was registerd as care home on 2nd May 2008. The home has provision to accomodate a maximum of three people with learning disabilities. People who use the service may have complex needs including substance misuse issues. The home is a domestic property with accommodation arranged over two floors. There are three bedrooms, two located on the first floor and one located on the ground floor. Communal areas on the ground floor consists of a combined lounge and dining room and kitchen. There is a small toilet and separate shower room next to the kitchen and a bathroom on the first floor. The home is located on the outskirts of Eastleigh Town centre and is close to shops and other amenities. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 4 of 28 Over 65 0 3 0 7 1 1 2 0 0 8 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 Individual needs and choices Lifestyle Personal and healthcare support Concerns, complaints and protection Environment Staffing Conduct and management of the home peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: We (the commission), visited Serenity House on 28/10/09. We telephoned the owner/manager in the morning to tell her we were coming, so that we could be sure of meeting the person who uses the service. The visit was part of a key inspection, which takes into account all the information we have received about the service since it was registered. The information included the homes Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), which the owner/manager sent to us prior to the visit. 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. Before our visit, we had sent survey questionnaires to the manager to distribute to people who use the service, staff members and health and social care professionals. At the time of writing this report we had received completed questionnaires from a person who lives in the home and another person who is interested in using the service, and a staff member. During this key inspection visit we spoke with the person who lives at the home, a staff Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 5 of 28 member and the owner/manager. We also looked at samples of the records held in the home. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 6 of 28 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 on page 4. The report of this inspection is available from our website www.cqc.org.uk. You can get printed copies from enquiries@cqc.org.uk or by telephoning our order line 0870 240 7535. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 7 of 28 Details of our 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) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 8 of 28 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, what they hope for and want to achieve, and the support they need. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, and people close to them, can visit the home and get full, clear, accurate and up to date information. 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 the person 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. People who are interested in using the service have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. No individual is admitted without having first had their needs assessed and been assured that the home can meet their needs. Evidence: We saw the home has a Statement of Purpose and a Service User Guide that are provided in a pictorial format to assist people in understanding the services that the home provides and those that it does not. The information included a statement of the homes terms and conditions, signed by the individual and the manager. There is currently one person living in the home, who was first admitted on an emergency placement basis and has now settled in. The manager was able to show us that a full assessment of the individuals needs and aspirations had been carried out during and shortly after admission, involving her and the individual and also other relevant agencies. This included risk assessment and management plans. The manager had also contacted the persons two previous placements in order to gather as much relevant information as possible to build the care and support plans. The Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 9 of 28 Evidence: documents we saw included referral and assessment records containing information about the persons medical and health status, diversity matters including religion, diet, likes and dislikes. There were also checklists for levels of independence and support required. The person who uses the service was very positive in his comments to us about how his life has improved since moving in. We also saw records relating to the referral and assessment process that is currently underway for another person who is interested in using the service. The manager is working through the assessment with the individual at his own pace while he is still living at another placement. This assessment includes the clientss view of their current situation and safety: me and others. We also saw a transition plan drawn up by the persons social worker and records of recent care planning meetings. As part of the process the manager met with the prospective new service user and gave him a copy of the homes Statement of Purpose. The individual then came to the home for a meal on two occasions, then a visit for the day supported by staff from his current placement, followed by another days visit supported by the homes staff. The person had to date had five overnight stays at Serenity House, in order to see if the home was the right place for him. The manager also does overnight shifts to continue the assessment and develop the support plan. The existing service user has been involved in meeting and mentoring for the prospective service user. Both individuals have had access to an advocate during their transitions. The manager showed us records relating to three other previous referrals that she had declined as they were not appropriate for the service and not compatible with the existing service user, whose progress has been good since moving in. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 10 of 28 Individual needs and choices 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 needs and goals are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. People are able to make decisions about their life, including their finances, with support if they need it. This is because the staff promote their rights and choices. People are supported to take risks to enable them to stay independent. This is because the staff have appropriate information on which to base decisions. People are asked about, and are involved in, all aspects of life in the home. This is because the manager and staff offer them opportunities to participate in the day to day running of the home and enable them to influence key decisions. People are confident that the home handles information about them appropriately. This is because the home has clear policies and procedures that staff follow. 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. People who use the service are enabled to play an active part in planning the support they receive. The home assists them to make decisions about their lives and to take planned risks in order to increase their independence. Evidence: The AQAA told us that there is a support plan and risk assessments, which are reviewed with the person who uses the service on a monthly basis, with other professionals every three months and with the persons family every six months. The person who uses the service is consulted on and participates in all aspects of the daily running of the home. We spoke with a staff member who told us he is working towards taking on the role of key worker, by attending the person centred planning sessions with the person who uses the service and the manager. We saw how these sessions are recorded and give action points that are followed up by the identified person within a given timescale. The staff member talked enthusiastically about the induction and training he had Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 11 of 28 Evidence: received since starting work at the home and how this has helped him to understand and meet the persons needs. Through talking with the person who uses the service, the manager and the staff member, it was clear that there is a strong emphasis within the service of enabling people to develop their independence and skills, both within the home and outside in the community. The person who uses the service showed us his own pictorial files showing the things he is interested in, his goals and what he is doing to achieve these, both independently and with the homes support. The staff member told us how both staff and the service user risk assess each activity before it is undertaken, as a reminder of the possible risks involved and the ways to minimise these. We saw examples of the recorded risk assessments in the persons file, which indicated that these were continually reviewed. This included a risk management plan for any unexplained absences. The manager and staff member talked about how information, assistance and communication support is given to enable the person who uses the service to make their own decisions. Information is provided in pictorial formats and we were told about a new communication in action computer system that the person has just started using. An advocate was called in to assist the person with their transition to living in the home. We saw how staff are assisting the individual to manage his finances, in accordance with his support plan and expressed wishes. We also saw that the person who uses the service has opportunities to participate in staff meetings and in the selection process for new staff and other service users. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 12 of 28 Lifestyle 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 can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and culture and 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 and the home supports them to have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. People are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. Their dignity and rights are respected in their daily life. People have healthy, well-presented meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. People have opportunities to develop their social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This is because the staff support their personal development. People choose and participate in suitable leisure activities. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who use the service are supported to maintain individually fulfilling lifestyles in and outside of the home. The home excels at empowering people to make choices and follow their interests and in helping them to develop life skills. Evidence: The AQAA told us how the person using the service has benefited from opportunities to maintain and develop his social, emotional, communication and independent living skills. This includes practical life skills such as budgeting, assertion and confidence building. The manager and a member of staff told us that the staff team have a wide range of individual skills that are passed on to people who use the service. There is a particular focus on pro-social modelling to provide people with skills when in the community. We saw that the support plan included goals and actions that are agreed and signed by the individual and the manager. There is also an outcomes diagram showing his achievements, which the individual finds motivating and helpful. All Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 13 of 28 Evidence: activities are risk assessed and recorded. Staff at the home have assisted the individual to find fulfilling occupations and activities including employment and educational pursuits. The person who lives in the home talked to us about a paid painting and decorating job he had completed and about working with horses, where he is currently doing an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). He is also learning literacy skills at college and doing a computer course. The person using the service has, independently and with staff support, obtained knowledge about local services and facilities, such as local shops, cinema and social club, which he uses. The staff rota is organised flexibly around his chosen activities, including weekends and evenings. The individual is enabled to be politically active and to vote if he chooses and maintains contact with his church. The person is encouraged and supported to pursue his own interests and hobbies. He likes going to car boot sales and he showed us a mountain bike he had saved up for and enjoys using. The individual is doing a sailing course and enjoys learning and using practical skills, for example putting together a computer table in the home. He has applied for a passport and plans to go on holiday. The home also organises leisure activities and trips, for example to Marwell and Thorpe Park. The home supports the individual to have appropriate personal and family relationships, maintaining links inside and outside of the home. Information and specialist guidance is available and provided to assist the individual to make appropriate decisions. The persons rights and responsibilities are recognised in their daily life. Staff members respect the individuals privacy and he has his own key to the front door. He receives his own mail and is supported by staff in dealing with correspondence as necessary. Staff use the persons preferred form of address, which is recorded in their support plan. The individual has unrestricted access to the home and garden and rules on smoking, alcohol and drugs are clearly stated in the contract. The person takes an active role in houshold tasks and has a keen interest in gardening. He showed us the work he has done digging and planting flower beds and growing fruit and vegetables. With a staff member he had dismantled and rebuilt the greenhouse in a different location and this was now in use. The person who uses the service is supported to help plan and prepare meals and mealtimes are flexible to suit his activities and schedules. We saw examples of shopping lists and recipes that he took part in writing, as part of developing skills for moving on to more independent living arrangements. The home encourages healthy Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 14 of 28 Evidence: eating and fresh fruit and snacks are available at any time. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 15 of 28 Personal and healthcare support 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 receive personal support from staff in the way they prefer and want. Their physical and emotional health needs are met because the home has procedures in place that staff follow. If people 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. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them to 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. People who use the service receive personal support in the way they prefer and require and their physical and emotional health needs are met. The home has policies and procedures in place for dealing with medicines if these are required by people who use the service. Evidence: The homes AQAA told us that no personal care is currently provided by staff, but that verbal encouragement is given in relation to tasks such as washing and bathing. The person who uses the service has devised his own personal chart to prompt personal hygiene and this is signed by him and a staff member. We saw that the support plan detailed the individuals preferences about how he is supported and how his daily routines are structured. There is a small core team of staff who provide consistency and continuity of support for the individual. Daily observation records are maintained by staff, so that any changes in the personal support required can be monitored and acted on. These include a daily summary of the persons behaviour, mood and of staff interactions with the individual. A diary is kept showing when health appointments are scheduled and attended and there is also Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 16 of 28 Evidence: a daily logbook that is used to record any telephone calls. The staff and manager have helped the person using the service to overcome his fears of the dentist and he now has regular appointments. The person who uses the service told us about how his lifestyle has become healthier and how he feels better since coming to live at Serenity House. The home has policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. The person using the service does not require any regular medication and staff told us about the homely remedies procedure that is in place. (Staff will complete a form if any medication, such as paracetamol, is needed and after 48 hours a prescription from the GP must be obtained). The AQAA told us that there had been some delays in obtaining medication training for staff,which were outside of the homes control. The training was taking place on the morning of our visit, facilitated by a local pharmacist. A medication cabinet was already on order and the pharmacist confirmed that a controlled drugs cabinet will be included in order to meet current legislation. The manager said that the people who use the service would be supported to manage their own medication if appropriate. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 17 of 28 Concerns, 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. Their concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse, neglect and self-harm and takes action to follow up any allegations. 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. People who use the service have access to a suitable complaints procedure and they are protected from abuse, neglect and self-harm by the homes procedures and training for staff. Evidence: The homes annual quality assurance assessment (AQAA) told us that the person who uses the service is encouraged to voice his views and is aware of the complaints procedure. We saw a copy of the procedure in the homes Service User Guide, which is in a pictorial format to assist people with a range of abilites to understand it. A staff member said there are plans to also put the complaints procedure on audiotape. Both the person who lives in the home and the person who is currently interested in using the service confirmed that they know who to speak to if they are not happy about the service and know how to make a complaint. The staff member we spoke with knew about the homes procedures and what to do if someone has concerns about the home. The manager told us there have been no complaints and that any complaints the home did receive would be acted upon and recorded. The AQAA told us that safeguarding and whistle blowing procedures are in place and that the person using the service is also aware of these. The manager has done train the trainer courses in safeguarding and managing challenging behaviour. The staff member told us that he had received training in safeguarding and was aware of forthcoming training in relation to challenging behaviour. We saw that the relevant Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 18 of 28 Evidence: training certificates were on file. The staff member demonstrated a clear understanding of his role and responsibilities under the procedures for reporting any abuse issues. Both the manager and staff member talked about how any incidents of challenging behaviour are dealt with in a non-threatening way with de-escalation techniques. The person who uses the service told us he feels safe living in the home. The AQAA and staff informed us that the person who uses the service is encouraged to look after his own finances and the individual confirmed that he has asked for and receives support in budgeting and saving. This is recorded in the persons support plan and all transactions are documented and signed by the individual and a member of staff. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 19 of 28 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, comfortable, 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. People have enough privacy when using toilets and bathrooms. 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. People who use the service benefit from a homely, clean and comfortable environment, which is suited to their needs and provides opportunities for developing independent living skills. Evidence: Serenity House is a domestic three - bedroomed property situated close to local shops and amenities. The premises are in keeping with the local community and suit the personal and lifestyle needs of the person living there. The furniture has been supplied new by the owner/manager and chosen by the person using the service, who was also able to bring some of his own belongings with him. On the day of our visit the house was clean and homely and the manager showed us records of regular maintenance checks taking place. Since the home was registered all the radiators have had safety covers fitted and new bedroom furnishings have been purchased by the owner. Records of risk assessments were on file in relation to window restrictors and hot water safety valves not currently being needed by the person using the service. The manager confirmed this will be kept under review as new people are admitted to the service. There are two bedrooms located on the first floor and one on the ground floor. The Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 20 of 28 Evidence: manager told us how the person using the service was able to choose and change bedroom. There is one bathroom with toilet and sink situated on the first floor and a shower and separate WC on the ground floor, fitted with handwash dispensers and pictorial signs showing hand-washing technique. None of the bedrooms have en-suites or hand-washing sinks. There is a combined lounge and dining room that is comfortably furnished and has enough seating for three residents. The manager and staff spoke of plans to build an extension to create more communal space for people who use the service and their visitors. The kitchen is fully fitted with a range of appliances and storage cupboards. The washing machine and tumble dryer is housed in the kitchen and the manager had sought and received written approval for this from the Environmental Health Officer. We saw that procedures are in place to minimise the risk of any cross contamination between laundry and food. A staff member we spoke with told us that they receive training in infection control and we saw certificates of this. The person who lives in the home had also attended health and safety training courses. The person using the service showed us how he has been involved in maintaining and making changes to the front and enclosed rear gardens. For example, digging and planting flower beds and fruit and vegetable patches, as well as painting the patio and garden furniture and renovating the greenhouse. This is part of a longer term plan and he showed us a folder of pictures depicting features of his ideal garden. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 21 of 28 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, qualified 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. People’s needs are met and they are supported because staff get the right training, supervision and support they need from their managers. People are supported by an effective staff team who understand and do what is expected of them. 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. People who use the service are supported by suitably trained and supervised staff and are protected by the homes recruitment policy and practices. Evidence: The AQAA told us that staff practice the aims, objectives and values of the service and have clearly defined job roles. Staff members who work in the home are from multicultural backgrounds, with mixed experiences, skills and qualifications and all have had an induction. All staff are carefully recruited and this process also involves the person who uses the service. There are staff on duty at all times and there are monthly staff meetings. We looked at a sample of recruitment and training records for three members of staff (MB, BW, GR). These showed that Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA First) and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks had been carried out by the service in relation to each individual before they started working in the home. Two written references were also seen in relation to each staff member. The manager told us how she carries out the initial interview away from the home in order to protect people who use the service. The person who lives in the home is also involved in the process and has his own set of questions that he asks potential staff members. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 22 of 28 Evidence: The training records showed that an induction and training had been given in health and safety, basic first aid, moving and handling, food hygiene, fire safety awareness, understanding abuse, learning disability awareness and dealing with challenging behaviour. Medication administration training had been carried out by a pharmacist on the morning of our visit. The manager told us that two out of the seven members of staff have a National Vocational Qualification in health and social care at level 3 and another three staff members are due to start the level 2 training. This was further confirmed by a member of staff. The AQAA listed a range of other qualifications held by members of the staff team, for example counselling and substance misuse. The member of staff we spoke with confirmed that their employer carried out checks and references before they started work in the home. They said their induction covered everything they needed to know to do the job when they started. They also confirmed that they are being given training which is relevant to their role, helps them understand and meet the needs of the person who uses the service, keeps them up to date with new ways of working and gives them enough knowledge about health care and medication. The member of staff said that there is a good mix of skills within the staff team, which they pass on to the person using the service. We saw records showing that the manager holds regular supervision meetings with individual staff members. There are written supervision guidelines and action points and completion dates are recorded. The minutes of team meetings were also available on file. Both the person who lives in the home and the person who is currently interested in using the service confirmed that the staff treat them well and listen and act on what they say. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 23 of 28 Conduct and management of the 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 have confidence in the care home because it is run and managed appropriately. People’s opinions are central to how the home develops and reviews their practice, as the home has appropriate ways of making sure they continue to get things right. The environment is safe for people and staff because 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. They are safeguarded because the home follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and makes sure staff understand the way things should be done. 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. People who use the service benefit from a well run home and are confident their views underpin the review and development of the service. The health, safety and welfare of the people who use the service are promoted and protected. Evidence: The registered manager is also the owner of the home and has the NVQ level 4 registered manager award (RMA). She has many years experience working with a specialised client group, which has helped her develop skills that she uses in working with the person who lives in the home and another prospective service user. A staff member we spoke with said that they couldnt ask for a better manager and confirmed that the manager is approachable and supportive and communicates well with people. We saw that the manager has an annual quality assurance survey questionnaire, which had not yet been issued to people who have an interest in the service as the manager wanted to get the home firmly established first. The manager told us that the service users family had been asked for their views and had responded positively. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 24 of 28 Evidence: The homes records also provided evidence that external agencies who have had contact with the service consider it to be well run. The responses we received to our own questionnaire from both the person who lives in the home and the person who is currently interested in using the service were positive. Through our conversation with the person who lives there it was clear that he is very much involved in the running of the home. The AQAA told us that the home has all the policies and procedures necessary for the effective running of the service. We saw records indicating that safe working practices are promoted and maintained in the home. For example, weekly fire drills that are generally held on a Tuesday in order to be consistent for the person who lives in the home. Regular checks are also undertaken and recorded in relation to the contents of the first aid box, emergency lighting, hot water and fridge-freezer temperatures. We observed that cleaning chemicals are kept locked away when not in use and that food kept in the fridge is clearly labelled with the dates when opened. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 25 of 28 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 26 of 28 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 Adults (18-65 years) Page 27 of 28 Helpline: Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk Web: www.cqc.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 © (2009) Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 CQC copyright, with the title and date of publication of the document specified. Care Homes for Adults (18-65 years) Page 28 of 28 - 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!