Care Home: Tasker House

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What the care home does well Tasker House manages new admissions to the home very well. People are assessed to ensure that the service is able to meet their needs and expectations. People are provided with all of the right information so that they are able make an informed choice about whether they would wish to live there. Comments include`The staff are welcoming and extremely friendly` `The management succeed in making a warm ` homely` feeling and atmosphere`. Each person has an individual person centred plan of care that sets out in detail how the individual needs and wishes to be cared for. This enables the staff to provide a consistent and high standard of care. Comments include`All of the carers are kind and gentle` `Staff continually assess our needs` `The staff keep everywhere clean and tidy and they provide care that you can`t fault`. `The staff give necessary care and attention`. `Tasker House is a home from home, the staff listen, they care for us, they treat me with respect, they talk to me, they make sure that I am OK` `Tasker House is very homely, the staff pay us good attention and get medical help if we are unwell` The staff at Tasker House provide a variety of activities for the people who live there. Activities are based on the interests and lifestyles of the people who live there. People are encouraged to maintain their independence and to exercise choice within their daily lives. Comments included ` There are usually activities in the home that I can take part in and I usually like the meals that are provided`. `They provide us with activities that keep our minds alert` `The meals are very good especially the cakes` `They tailor diets to special needs as required and we get extras like our favourite foods`` We have a nice dining room and residents rooms are well maintained` ` The staff aways welcome visitors` ` Most things are excellent`, `The staff provide a friendly and homely atmosphere`. Tasker House ensures that staff have the right skills to care for people properly and safely, they know how to respond to complaints and how to protect people from abuse. All of the surveys that were returned to us indicated that people know who to speak to if not happy and they all know how to complain. The people that we spoke to told us that they felt safe living at Tasker House and that the staff were nice to them. Comments included `I have never had cause to complain`. `I admire greatly the patience and tolerance of all the staff`. `if anyone were to raise a concern I would go straight to my senior and manager, who I know would act on their concerns straight away` `we have a very good complaints procedure` The standard of the environment is generally good, the service ensures that the premises are clean and hygienic at all times. Some of the people who live at Tasker House commented on the comfortable and homely atmosphere. Tasker House has very good recruitment procedures, a stable staff team and good training this means that the people who live there are cared for by a skilled and stable staff team and are therefor in safe hands at all times. Comments include ` The staff are always very approachable` `There is always enough staff to meet the residents needs` `We are given a lot of training`. `My manager did the checks and got references from my last employer, my induction covered everything I needed to know and we are all kept up to date with all the training.` `We have regular supervision, we have confidential hand overs at every shift and we have enough staff to meet the needs of residents. We also have full support from our manager and colleagues` `We work well together as a team, the staffing hours have recently been changed to reflect the needs of the people who live at Tasker house` `The management are very supportive, they provide us with training and keep us up to date` ` I have worked here for many years now, I am very happy working here`. `The management and the staff work together to provide the best possible care we can to all of our residents` `The training that we are given is amazing, in the short time that I have worked here I have learnt so much `. Tasker House is well managed, this ensures that the people who live there are protected and that their best interests are promoted. Comments include `The home has an excellent manager in Helen Rogers, the deputy and other staff all seem well trained and are helpful` `They are always available on the phone and will call back` ` The support that I get from my manager is wonderful` ` My manager gives me full support and guidance in my role at Tasker House`. `We are given a hand over at each shift , we know what is going on all the time and the manager gives a lot of support`. ` The manager is very helpful and she looks after the staff well`. ` The manager is hands on and helps out when ever needed and her door is always open for staff and clients, nothing is too much trouble` ` I am proud to say that I work at Tasker House` What has improved since the last inspection? There were no requirements made as a result of the last Key Inspection. The service has provided a sun awning to the garden area to increase the amount of shade that is available in file weather. The management have improved the external lighting to ensure increased security of the premises. What the care home could do better: One of the bedrooms that we looked at was noted to have a window restrictor missing from the window in the en suite and to have an exposed radiator surface. The management have agreed check the home for any other hazards, to review risk assessments and to fit appropriate safety devices within the immediate future. Key inspection report Care homes for older people Name: Address: Tasker House 160 Westfield Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 3HX     The quality rating for this care home is:   three star excellent 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: Stephanie Vaughan     Date: 2 0 0 4 2 0 1 0 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 Older People Page 2 of 31 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 Older People can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or bought from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering from the Stationery Office is also available: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop The 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) © Care Quality Commission 2010 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any format or medium for non-commercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source should be acknowledged, by showing the publication title and © Care Quality Commission 2010. www.cqc.org.uk Internet address Care Homes for Older People Page 3 of 31 Information about the care home Name of care home: Address: Tasker House 160 Westfield Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 3HX 01933276447 01933383377 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address: Name of registered provider(s): Monolace Limited Name of registered manager (if applicable) Mrs Helen Rogers Type of registration: Number of places registered: care home 26 Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 dementia old age, not falling within any other category Additional conditions: Where there are 26 people accommodated in the home within the category of OP, no further persons may be admitted under this category. Within this total of 26 up to 20 persons can be admitted under the category of DE(E). Date of last inspection Brief description of the care home Tasker House is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 26 older people, some of who have dementia. The home is a large detached house and is located near to the centre of Wellingborough. There are bedrooms on two floors and there are two passenger lifts. There are twenty-four single bedrooms and one double, all of the rooms now have ensuite facilities. Downstairs are two lounges, an activities room, and dining room. At the rear of the home is a pleasant landscaped level garden and adequate parking facilities. Care Homes for Older People Page 4 of 31 0 0 Over 65 20 26 Brief description of the care home The provider supplies information about Tasker House to prospective residents on enquiry. The current fees range between 510 and 520 GBP per week. Items that are not included within the fees are for hairdressing, podiatry, toiletries, newspapers and other personal items such as clothing. Care Homes for Older People Page 5 of 31 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: three star excellent service Choice of home Health and personal care Daily life and social activities Complaints and protection Environment Staffing Management and administration peterchart Poor Adequate Good Excellent How we did our inspection: Before this inspection we spent four hours in preparation. This included looking at the Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) which is a document sent to us by the service, the previous inspection reports, associated requirements, the service history and other associated documentation. We sent some surveys to the people who use the service and to some of the staff all the responses that we received were positive and specific comments are included within the report. We have received no concerns, complaints or allegations about this service. The Commission have a focus on Equality and Diversity and issues relating to this are included in the main body of the report. The site visit was conducted over a period of four and a half hours during which the Care Homes for Older People Page 6 of 31 inspector made observations, spoke with some of the people who live at Tasker House, some of their relatives and to some of the staff. A limited tour of the premises was conducted which involved reviewing the communal areas and some of the bedrooms. Case tracking is the method used during the inspection where a sample of two people were selected and aspects of their care and experiences were reviewed, including the individual plans of care and associated documentation. The service specialises in the care of people with Dementia, as such some of the people who live there have limited ability to recall and communicate their experiences. In these circumstances observations are used to inform the inspection activity. The Registered Manager was present throughout this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 7 of 31 What the care home does well: Tasker House manages new admissions to the home very well. People are assessed to ensure that the service is able to meet their needs and expectations. People are provided with all of the right information so that they are able make an informed choice about whether they would wish to live there. Comments includeThe staff are welcoming and extremely friendly The management succeed in making a warm homely feeling and atmosphere. Each person has an individual person centred plan of care that sets out in detail how the individual needs and wishes to be cared for. This enables the staff to provide a consistent and high standard of care. Comments includeAll of the carers are kind and gentle Staff continually assess our needs The staff keep everywhere clean and tidy and they provide care that you cant fault. The staff give necessary care and attention. Tasker House is a home from home, the staff listen, they care for us, they treat me with respect, they talk to me, they make sure that I am OK Tasker House is very homely, the staff pay us good attention and get medical help if we are unwell The staff at Tasker House provide a variety of activities for the people who live there. Activities are based on the interests and lifestyles of the people who live there. People are encouraged to maintain their independence and to exercise choice within their daily lives. Comments included There are usually activities in the home that I can take part in and I usually like the meals that are provided. They provide us with activities that keep our minds alert The meals are very good especially the cakes They tailor diets to special needs as required and we get extras like our favourite foods Care Homes for Older People Page 8 of 31 We have a nice dining room and residents rooms are well maintained The staff aways welcome visitors Most things are excellent, The staff provide a friendly and homely atmosphere. Tasker House ensures that staff have the right skills to care for people properly and safely, they know how to respond to complaints and how to protect people from abuse. All of the surveys that were returned to us indicated that people know who to speak to if not happy and they all know how to complain. The people that we spoke to told us that they felt safe living at Tasker House and that the staff were nice to them. Comments included I have never had cause to complain. I admire greatly the patience and tolerance of all the staff. if anyone were to raise a concern I would go straight to my senior and manager, who I know would act on their concerns straight away we have a very good complaints procedure The standard of the environment is generally good, the service ensures that the premises are clean and hygienic at all times. Some of the people who live at Tasker House commented on the comfortable and homely atmosphere. Tasker House has very good recruitment procedures, a stable staff team and good training this means that the people who live there are cared for by a skilled and stable staff team and are therefor in safe hands at all times. Comments include The staff are always very approachable There is always enough staff to meet the residents needs We are given a lot of training. My manager did the checks and got references from my last employer, my induction covered everything I needed to know and we are all kept up to date with all the training. We have regular supervision, we have confidential hand overs at every shift and we have enough staff to meet the needs of residents. We also have full support from our manager and colleagues We work well together as a team, the staffing hours have recently been changed to reflect the needs of the people who live at Tasker house Care Homes for Older People Page 9 of 31 The management are very supportive, they provide us with training and keep us up to date I have worked here for many years now, I am very happy working here. The management and the staff work together to provide the best possible care we can to all of our residents The training that we are given is amazing, in the short time that I have worked here I have learnt so much . Tasker House is well managed, this ensures that the people who live there are protected and that their best interests are promoted. Comments include The home has an excellent manager in Helen Rogers, the deputy and other staff all seem well trained and are helpful They are always available on the phone and will call back The support that I get from my manager is wonderful My manager gives me full support and guidance in my role at Tasker House. We are given a hand over at each shift , we know what is going on all the time and the manager gives a lot of support. The manager is very helpful and she looks after the staff well. The manager is hands on and helps out when ever needed and her door is always open for staff and clients, nothing is too much trouble I am proud to say that I work at Tasker House What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Care Homes for Older People Page 10 of 31 One of the bedrooms that we looked at was noted to have a window restrictor missing from the window in the en suite and to have an exposed radiator surface. The management have agreed check the home for any other hazards, to review risk assessments and to fit appropriate safety devices within the immediate future. 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 Older People Page 11 of 31 Details of our findings Contents Choice of home (standards 1 - 6) Health and personal care (standards 7 - 11) Daily life and social activities (standards 12 - 15) Complaints and protection (standards 16 - 18) Environment (standards 19 - 26) Staffing (standards 27 - 30) Management and administration (standards 31 - 38) Outstanding statutory requirements Requirements and recommendations from this inspection Care Homes for Older People Page 12 of 31 Choice of home These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People are confident that the care home can support them. This is because there is an accurate assessment of their needs that they, or people close to them, have been involved in. This tells the home all about them and the support they need. People who stay at the home only for intermediate care, have a clear assessment that includes a plan on what they hope for and want to achieve when they return home. People can decide whether the care home can meet their support and accommodation needs. This is because they, or people close to them, have been able to visit the home and have got full, clear, accurate and up to date information about the home. If they decide to stay in the home they know about their rights and responsibilities because there is an easy to understand contract or statement of terms and conditions between them and the care home that includes how much they will pay and what the home provides for the money. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Admissions to Tasker House are skillfully managed so that the service is consistently able to meet the individuals needs and expectations Evidence: The service has a Statement of Purpose and Service Users Guide which contain detailed information about the service provided. Both are reviewed on an annual basis and are made available to people who may wish to use the service or to their representatives. People who may wish to use the service have a detailed pre admission assessment by a senior member of staff before they are admitted to Tasker House. This ensures that the home is able to meet their needs and also that they are able to meet the manager or her representative before admission. However people are encouraged to visit the home to meet the staff and others who live there and to see what it is like to live at Tasker House. Care Homes for Older People Page 13 of 31 Evidence: The Registered manager ensures that there are additional staff on duty when someone is admitted so that they can be available to help them settle into the home; when ever possible this is the same person who has conducted the initial assessments and who is familiar to them. We spoke to some of the people who live at Tasker House, they told us that they had had information about the home and that they had opportunities to visit the home and that they had been helped to settle in well by the staff . We also spoke to relatives about the home and they told us that they had been able to visit and that they had received the right information and support from the staff during the admission process. The service offers trial periods and a review of the placement after six weeks to ensure that the placement continues to meet needs and expectations. One of the people who lives at Tasker House commented The staff are welcoming and extremely friendly and The management succeed in making a warm homely feeling and atmosphere A staff member commented Tasker House is extremely well run, putting our clients needs first at all times Care Homes for Older People Page 14 of 31 Health and personal care These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People’s health, personal and social care needs are met. The home has a plan of care that the person, or someone close to them, has been involved in making. If they take medicine, they manage it themselves if they can. If they cannot manage their medicine, the care home supports them with it, in a safe way. People’s right to privacy is respected and the support they get from staff is given in a way that maintains their dignity. If people are approaching the end of their life, the care home will respect their choices and help them feel comfortable and secure. They, and people close to them, are reassured that their death will be handled with sensitivity, dignity and respect, and take account of their spiritual and cultural wishes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The people who live at Tasker House have a very detailed and individualised plan of care that ensures that they are treated as individuals and that their health, personal and social care needs are fully met. Evidence: The Registered Manager makes sure that the service has all of the necessary information before each person is admitted. This ensures that person centred and individualised care plans are developed before admission and this enables new people to settle in to the home well. The individual plans of care are designed to provide staff with very detailed and individualised information about how all of the persons health, personal and social care needs are to be met. They also include instruction to staff about how people are to be supported to make choices in all aspects of their daily lives. The daily records show that people are supported in the ways that have been specified and also that they are able to exercise choices in all aspects of their life at Tasker House. The individual care plans and associated records also demonstrate that the service Care Homes for Older People Page 15 of 31 Evidence: responds appropriately to the Equality and Diversity needs of the people who live at Tasker House. The individual plans of care also include a range of assessments to ensure that the well being of the people who live at Tasker House such as the risks of falls, pressure, nutritional risk and movement and handling risks. Appropriate controls are put in place to reduce and manage the risks such as the provision of specialised equipment and environmental adaptations. All of the people who live at Tasker House have a Key worker who is involved in the maintenance and monthly review of the Individual Plans of Care. The people who use the service and their representatives are encouraged to be involved in the reviews of individual plans of care. We looked at the way that medication was managed in the home. Records were well maintained and these showed that medication is being given safely and in the way that it has been prescribed. The home has good stock control systems in place and also conduct regular checks to make sure that they have the right amount and that it is being given safely. Senior staff are trained in the safe administration of medication and are responsible for its administration. The service ensures that people who live at Tasker House are treated with respect and that their privacy and dignity are protected. Staff were seen to relate well to the people living there, to address them by their preferred name and to knock prior to entering their private accommodation. People looked well cared for, were well presented according to their age, gender and culture. We spoke to some of the people who live there they told us that they felt well looked after and that the staff were nice to them. This was also confirmed by relatives that we spoke to, they told us that the staff were attentive to the needs of the people who live there. We also spoke to some of the staff who worked at Tasker House they demonstrated that they knew how the people who they cared for needed and wanted to be cared for. One important example was that one staff member described how she was able to recognise none verbal cues from a person who was unable to communicate their needs verbally. One person commented all of the carers are kind and gentle and staff continually our assess needs Care Homes for Older People Page 16 of 31 Evidence: Another person commented The staff keep everywhere clean and tidy and they provide care that you cant fault. Another commented The staff give necessary care and attention. Another commented Tasker House is a home from Home, the staff listen, they care for us, they treat me with respect, they talk to me, they make sure that I am OK Another commented Tasker House is very homely, the staff pay us good attention and get medical help if we are unwell All of the people who responded to our surveys indicated that they receive the care and support needed, all say that staff listen and respond to their requests and are available when needed. They all indicate that they always receive the medical support when needed. One staff member commented the residents get good care here another commented we provide care appropriate to the residents individual needs and well being and we maintain high standards Another staff member commented the care plans are updated every month and any new information would be included. We have confidential hand overs at every shift and we have enough staff to meet the needs of residents, we keep up the standards by hard work Care Homes for Older People Page 17 of 31 Daily life and social activities These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: Each person is treated as an individual and the care home is responsive to his or her race, culture, religion, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. They are part of their local community. The care home supports people to follow personal interests and activities. People are able to keep in touch with family, friends and representatives. They are as independent as they can be, lead their chosen lifestyle and have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities. People have nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, at a time and place to suit them. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The service is proactive in the promotion of peoples choice and independence which ensures that the are treated as individuals and that their human rights are protected. Evidence: During admission to the home the staff obtain life histories from either the person coming to live at Tasker House or from their representative, this means that the staff are able to support people to maintain their individuality and lifestyle at an early stage. Individual preferences about routines are detailed in the Individual Plan of Care this includes times of rising and retiring to bed, personal care routines such as times of bathing and how they prefer to spend their time. People are able to choose whether to spend their time in the communal areas or their personal accommodation. There is also a pleasant garden which is accessible in fine weather. People are also able to opt out of activities should they wish to do so. The life histories support the development of individual activities programmes that promote the maintenance of previous lifestyles and interests. Care Homes for Older People Page 18 of 31 Evidence: The service has a varied activities programme that is displayed in the home, this includes visiting entertainers and in house activities. The service also arranges outings which include boat trips and visits to the garden centre. Two activities coordinators are employed to plan activities and to work with people in groups or in one to one sessions. Activities during the inspection included card games and armchair activities. Other people were seen to be reading the newspaper whist others were enjoying music that was appropriate the the age and culture of the people living at Tasker House. During the inspection visitors were seen to come and go freely one person told us that they visited at various times and that they were always made welcome. We observed interactions between staff and the people who live there. Staff were proactive in engaging with people during the course of their work and greeting them at the start of a shift. We noted that people where being encouraged encouraged to make choices throughout the inspection, examples include their personal appearance, drinks, food, snacks, use of condiments, when and where to have their meals served. We noted that the staff were very attentive during meal times and that they supported people with sensitivity and kindness. The service has a menu which is available in the dining room and also in a file within the bedrooms. The menu offers four meals a day, three of which can be served hot. Drinks and snacks, including fruit are also available throughout the day. The catering staff ensure that they meet the needs of people with specific dietary requirements. They are also aware of peoples personal preferences which are included in the menus. All of the existing people who live at Tasker House are white British as such the menu is reflective of their age and culture. Arrangements are in place for people to choose an alternative should they wish to do so. One person commented there are usually activities in the home that I can take part in and I usually like the meals that are provided. Another commented They provide us with activities that keep our minds alert Another commented The meals are very good especially the cakes and They tailor Care Homes for Older People Page 19 of 31 Evidence: diets to special needs as required and we get extras like our favourite foods We have a nice dining room and residents rooms are well maintained The staff aways welcome visitors most things are excellent The staff provide a friendly and homely atmosphere One of the staff members commented Tasker House is very homely, the residents are encouraged to make choices in many things such as personal care and activities Care Homes for Older People Page 20 of 31 Complaints and protection These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: If people have concerns with their care, they or people close to them know how to complain. Any concern is looked into and action taken to put things right. The care home safeguards people from abuse and neglect and takes action to follow up any allegations. People’s legal rights are protected, including being able to vote in elections. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. People who live at Tasker House are able to voice their concerns and to have confidence that they are protected from abuse and are therefore in safe hands at all times. Evidence: The service has an appropriate complaints procedure which is displayed throughout the home and is also included in the written information provided by the service. There have been no complaints about this service and this was confirmed by records viewed in the home during inspection. We spoke to some of the people who live at Tasker House and to some of their relatives, they told us that they knew how to complain if they needed to but that this had not been the case as they had been pleased with all aspects of the service. There have been no allegations of abuse about this service. We spoke to some of the people who live at Tasker House, they told us that they felt safe living there and that they staff were nice to them. Staff have received training in the values expected in the provision of care, training in the Safeguarding of Adults, mandatory training such as Health and Safety and training specific to the individual needs of the people who live at Tasker House including dementia and diabetes. Care Homes for Older People Page 21 of 31 Evidence: One person commented I have never had cause to complain and I admire greatly the patience and tolerance of all the staff, All of the surveys indicated that people know who to speak to if not happy and all know how to complain. One staff member commeneted if anyone were to raise a concern I would go straight to my senior and manager, who I know would act on their concerns straight away Another commented we have a very good complaints procedure Care Homes for Older People Page 22 of 31 Environment These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People stay in a safe and well-maintained home that is homely, clean, pleasant and hygienic. People stay in a home that has enough space and facilities for them to lead the life they choose and to meet their needs. The home makes sure they have the right specialist equipment that encourages and promotes their independence. Their room feels like their own, it is comfortable and they feel safe when they use it. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. The standard of the environment is good providing the people who live at Tasker House with a safe and comfortable place to live. Evidence: The premises comprise a converted and extended town house close to the centre of Wellingborough, which is in keeping with the local community. There are two disabled access points within the home and a passenger lift this ensures that the home is accessible to wheel chair users. There are three communal areas that are well decorated, safe and comfortable. The home is fitted with grab rails and other aids and adaptations to assist with mobility and independence. We looked a sample of bedrooms which were seen to be well maintained, these showed that people are able to bring in their own possessions such as photographs and memorabilia. All of the rooms contained the right furnishings and fittings, including en suite facilities. One of the rooms was noted to have a window restrictor missing from the window in the en suite and to have an exposed radiator surface. The management have agreed check the home for any other hazards, to review risk assessments and to fit appropriate safety devices within the immediate future. Care Homes for Older People Page 23 of 31 Evidence: The service has invested in additional external lighting to increase the security of the premises at night and as awning has been fitted to the garden to provide shade during fine weather. The standard of hygiene within the home is very good, having recently been awarded five stars by the Environment Health Officer and there are adequate supplies of hot water. One staff member commented the service provides a pleasant clean, homely and safe environment for the residents Care Homes for Older People Page 24 of 31 Staffing These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have safe and appropriate support as there are enough competent staff on duty at all times. They have confidence in the staff at the home because checks have been done to make sure that they are suitable to care for them. Their needs are met and they are cared for by staff who get the relevant training and support from their managers. There are no additional outcomes. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Robust staff recruitment, retention and training ensure that the people who live at Tasker House are cared for by a skilled and stable staff team and are therefor in safe hands at all times. Evidence: Staffing levels at Tasker House are good and are adjusted according to the needs of the people who live there. The service benefits from a stable group of staff who know the people who live there well, who work well as a team and who are flexible in their working patterns. Staff files showed that new staff have all of the right checks conducted before they start working in the home. They also have a thorough induction programme which includes training in Care Values which covers aspects such as confidentiality and protection. Staff files also demonstrated that timely training is also provided in all of the mandatory subjects such as Fire safety , Food Safety, First Aid, Safe Administration of Medication, Movement and Handling, Health and Safety and Safeguarding. Staff also have access to training that is specific to the needs of the people who live at Tasker House such as Dementia Care, Diabetes, Mental Capacity Act and the Care Homes for Older People Page 25 of 31 Evidence: Deprivation of Liberty Standards. All of the staff are encouraged to take NVQ qualifications in care levels 2, 3 and 4. During the inspection we observed interactions between the staff and the people who live there, these were seen to be very positive with staff showing good understanding and sensitivity to their needs. The people who live at Tasker House told us that they liked the staff and that they felt that they were well supported and cared for. We spoke to the staff who were able to demonstrate a good understanding of the needs of the individuals who live there. One person commented the staff are always very approachable One staff member commented There is always enough staff to meet the residents needs Another staff member commented We are given a lot of training. Another commented My manager did the checks and got references from my last employer, my induction covered everything I needed to know and we are all kept up to date with all the training. We have regular supervision, we have confidential hand overs at every shift and we have enough staff to meet the needs of residents. We also have full support from our manager and colleagues Another commented We work well together as a team, the staffing hours have recently been changed to reflect the needs of the people who live at Tasker house and The management are very supportive, they provide us with training and keep us up to date and I have worked here for many years now, I am very happy working here. The management and the staff work together to provide the best possible care we can to all of our residents Another commented The training that we are given is amazing, in the short time that I have worked here I have learnt so much . Care Homes for Older People Page 26 of 31 Management and administration These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them: People have confidence in the care home because it is led and managed appropriately. People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate health and safety practices are carried out. People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers. This is what people staying in this care home experience: Judgement: People using this service experience good quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service. Tasker House is well managed, this ensures that the people who live there are protected and that their best interests are promoted. Evidence: The management of the home is stable, both the Registered Provider and the Registered Manager have a high profile within the home and are directly involved in the day to day management, this means that they know the people who live at the home very well and are responsive to their needs. The Registered Manager is well qualified and experienced in the running of the home and promotes and maintains high standards of care. We spoke to some of the people who live at Tasker House, to some of their relatives and to some of the staff all provided positive feedback about the management of the home. Quality Assurance systems are well established and comprise a range of activities designed to obtain feedback from the people who use the service. A range of internal Care Homes for Older People Page 27 of 31 Evidence: audits are ongoing in relation to the environment, medication systems and care planning. The home maintains the Investors in People Award, has been awarded four stars by the Environmental Health Officer and has also been awarded four roses from the Local Authority. Staff supervision is ongoing to ensure that staff have the right skills to meet the needs of the service and that they receive appropriate support and development. People told us that the service ensures that all equipment is maintained in good order and that there are frequent fire safety checks. Accidents and injuries are recorded appropriately, these are generally falls and minor injuries, actions are taken promptly to reduce the risks of re-occurrence when ever possible. In one of the bedrooms that we looked at we identified risks presented by a missing window restrictor, an exposed radiator surface and storage of disposable gloves. When this was brought to the attention of the management prompt and appropriate actions were taken to reduce and manage the identified risks. One of the relatives commented The home has an excellent manager in Helen Rogers, the deputy and other staff all seem well trained and are helpful and They are always available on the phone and will call back One staff member commented the support that I get from my manager is wonderful and another stated My manager gives me full support and guidance in my role at Tasker House. Another commented We are given a hand over at each shift , we know what is going on all the time and the manager gives a lot of support. Another commented the manager is very helpful and she looks after the staff well. Another commented The manager is hands on and helps out when ever needed and her door is always open for staff and clients, nothing is too much trouble and I am proud to say that I work at Tasker House Care Homes for Older People Page 28 of 31 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes £ No R Outstanding statutory requirements These are requirements that were set at the previous inspection, but have still not been met. They say what the registered person had to do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Care Homes for Older People Page 29 of 31 Requirements and recommendations from this inspection: Immediate requirements: These are immediate requirements that were set on the day we visited this care home. The registered person had to meet these within 48 hours. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Statutory requirements These requirements set out what the registered person must do to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must do this within the timescales we have set. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action Recommendations These recommendations are taken from the best practice described in the National Minimum Standards and the registered person(s) should consider them as a way of improving their service. No Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Care Homes for Older People Page 30 of 31 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). 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