Latest Inspection
This is the latest available inspection report for this service, carried out on 23rd December 2009. it is an annual review prepared by CQC after examining previous reports and information from the provider. At the time of this report, CQC judged the service to be Good.
The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection
and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.
For extracts, read the latest CQC inspection for The Acorns.
Annual service review
Name of Service: The Acorns The quality rating for this care home is: The rating was made on: two star good service 0 5 1 2 2 0 0 8 A quality rating is our assessment of how well a care home, agency or scheme is meeting the needs of the people who use it. We give a quality rating following a full review of the service. We call this review a ‘key’ inspection We do an annual service review when there has been no key inspection of the service in the last 12 months. It does not involve a visit to the service but is a summary of new information given to us, or collected by us, since the last key inspection or annual service review.
Has this annual service review changed our opinion of the service?
No You should read the last key inspection report for this service to get a full picture of how well outcomes for the people using the service are being met. The date by which we will do a key inspection: Name of inspector: Tony Railton Date of this annual service review: 1 7 1 1 2 0 0 9 Annual Service Review Page 1 of 6 Information about the service
Address of service: 77 Clifton Avenue Stanley Wakefield West Yorks WF3 4HB 01924824094 Telephone number: Fax number: Email address: Provider web address:
gaynor@alternativecarelimited.co.uk Name of registered provider(s): Conditions of registration: Category(ies) : learning disability Conditions of registration: Mrs Gaynor J Hodgson Number of places (if applicable): Under 65 Over 65 5 0 The maximum number of service users who can be accommodated is: 5 The registered person may provide the following category of service only: Care Home only - Code PC To service users of the following gender: Either Whose primary care needs on admissionto the home are within the following categories: Learning Disability - Code LD Have there been any changes in the ownership, management or the Yes service’s registration details in the last 12 months? If yes, what have they been: Date of last key inspection: Date of last annual service review (if applicable): Brief description of the service The Acorns continues to provide personal care and accommodation for five people who have a learning disability and who may also have mental health problems. This large detached house is situated in a residential area of Stanley on the outskirts of Wakefield. The home is decorated and maintained to a good standard and all accommodation offered is single. There is parking to the front of the home and a large walled garden to the rear. Access to the garden is through a large conservatory to the
Annual Service Review Page 2 of 6 None. 0 5 1 2 2 0 0 8 rear of the home. There is a domestic type kitchen/dining room and a large television lounge to the front. The care provided by the home is underpinned by ordinary living principles and there is an expectation that service users do as much for themselves as possible. Service users are also encouraged and assisted to take advantage of ordinary community based health and leisure services. There are some local shops nearby and a public house. The home is close to a main bus route, however, the home provides transport for service users. The M62 motorway is nearby with link roads to the M1/A1. On the 17th November 2009 the Deputy Manager informed the Care Quailty Commisssion that the fees for using the service ranges from £381 and £1638 per week. Extra was charged for hairdressing (from £5.00) and for holidays (charge varies depending on choice of holiday). Information regarding the fees and services provided can be obtained from the home or by e-mailing office@alternativecarelimited.co.uk Annual Service Review Page 3 of 6 Service update since the last key inspection or annual service review:
What did we do for this annual service review? We looked at the previous inspection visit report and the information sent in by the service providers and in particular the Annual Quality Assurance Assessment ( AQAA). We also discussed the AQAA and the services provided with the Deputy Manager. What has this told us about the service? They Deputy manager says the home currently provides support for six people who have learning disabilities. Te AQAA shows that the service continues to encourage and support people to use ordinary community based health care and leisure services. Records show people are fully involved in developing their Person Centered Plan of care and the Deputy Manager confirmed people continue to sign the assessments , care plans and reviews to show their involvement. Records show to make sure peoples personal care and support needs continue to be met the Person Centered Plans are looked at regularly and amended if needed to reflect and show any changes. The Deputy Manager confirmed that people using the service have a Person Centered Activities programme and that changes have been made to the way staff work to increase the amount of time people spend socializing in their local community. The Annual Quality Assurance Assessment confirms that the service provides care and support on a twenty four hour needs led basis in the pursute of living an ordinary lifestyle. Records show and the Deputy Manager confirmed that people are encouraged and supported to do as much for themselves as possible. There are risk assessments in place showing what carers and support workers need to do to minimize any risks to people living in the home. People are protected by the way staff are recruited and selected as records show and the Deputy Manager confirms references, police and POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults List) checks are taken up before they are employed. Records show people are further protected from any kind of abuse as all staff have Safeguarding training as part of their induction, and there is a Safeguarding Policy and Procedure showing them what to do following any allegations of abuse. The CQC service history and Annual Quality Assurance Assessment show the service has not had to make any Safeguarding Referrals to the Local Authority. The records show the Commission has not received any complaints about the service. Records show people using the service are supported by staff that are trained and qualified. The Deputy Manager confirmed staff supporting people continue to have mandatory training that includes, First Aid, Food Hygiene,Infection Control and Moving and Handling. Records also show support workers either have a National Vocational Qualifications or are registered on NVQ courses. The Deputy Manager says they have a NVQ Level 3 in Care and are currently undertaking the Registered Managers Award (NVQ Level 4). The Deputy Manager and the AQAA confirmed that support workers also undertake specialist training in the needs of people with a learning disability and in particular Behavior Management, Autism Awareness and supporting people with Epilepsy. The records show regular house meetings are held where people have the opportunity to comment on the care and support provided and have a say in how the home runs. The Deputy Manager also confirmed that peoples views are also sought by way of Annual Service Review Page 4 of 6 satisfaction surveys. They said although these have been completed the information provided has yet to be collated and a report provided showing what they said about the quality of the services provided. The records show the home has a good relationship with the Commission and continues to report any events that effect the wellbeing of people living in the home. The Deputy Manager and the Annual Quality Assurance Assessment indicate that the service, in the future, is looking to become part of Alternative Care Limited Supported Living Service as the people being supported are very able and can do most things for themselves. What are we going to do as a result of this annual service review? This Annual Service Review confirms the homes Two Star rating which means people using the service continue to experience good quality outcomes. We do not anticipate visiting this service, however, the Commission can visit the service at any time if there are any concerns or any other reason to do so. Annual Service Review Page 5 of 6 Reader Information
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