Abbeyfield Castle Farm provides accommodation for up to 24 older people who need or may need support with their personal care. The home is a purpose-built single storey building, with a large garden. All accommodation is in single bedrooms. There were 22 people living in the home at the time of our inspection.
This was an unannounced inspection, carried out over three days on 30, 31 October and 6 November 2014. The home was last inspected on 8 October 2013, when the provider met all the regulations inspected. A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Good systems were in place to protect people living in the home from harm. All staff had been given regular training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Staff were clear about their responsibilities to be aware of and report any incidents of abuse or potential abuse immediately. People told us they felt very safe living in the home and believed staff would do everything necessary to keep them safe. No-one told us of any incidents of abuse or other issues of concern.
There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people’s needs in a safe and timely way. There was very little staff turnover, and the suitability of any new staff was carefully checked before they started working in the home.
People’s prescribed medicines were stored and administered safety, and clear records were kept of all medicines received, administered and disposed of.
People’s needs were carefully assessed before they came into the home, to ensure that all those needs could be met. People were fully involved in the assessment of their needs, and their wishes and preferences regarding the ways their care should be given were respected. Detailed plans were drawn up to meet each person’s individual needs and wishes, and these care plans were regularly evaluated to make sure they remained appropriate and effective. People told us they felt their care and welfare needs were consistently met, and that they received very good care.
People living in the home were offered a varied and nutritious diet, with plenty of choice. Special dietary needs were met. People told us they were very happy with quality and quantity of their meals.
People had access to the full range of community and specialist healthcare services, and had their health closely monitored by the staff. People told us the staff were alert to, and responded to, any changes in their health or demeanour. We spoke with health professionals who supported the home. They told us the home made appropriate and prompt referrals and always carried out any advice they were given regarding the person’s care and treatment.
The atmosphere in the home was relaxed and positive, and we saw that staff were caring and sensitive in their approach and actions. People told us they were very well cared for, and spoke highly of the kindness and attention of the manager and staff in the home.
People and their families were encouraged to express their views and be actively involved in their own care and in the running of the home. There were frequent residents’ meetings and the manager made time to speak with people regularly. Good information was displayed about the services and activities on offer. Important contact details, such as advocacy services, were made available to people and their visitors, to help them maintain their independence.
People told us they were treated with respect by staff, and said that their privacy and dignity were protected by all the staff. They told us they and their families were fully involved in deciding their care needs and how those needs were to be met by the staff. Regular reviews allowed people to comment on their care and ask for changes to their care plans. People told us they received their care in the ways they wanted, and that staff were flexible and responded well to any requests.
We were told the manager and staff took very seriously any concerns raised by people living in the home, and addressed such issues speedily. People told us they rarely had to formally complain about the service. Only one formal complaint had been raised in the previous 12 months, and this had been resolved quickly.
The service had a wide range of activities and opportunities for social stimulation, both in the home and in the local community. People told us they were happy with the social activities available to them, and said that staff made every attempt to meet individual preferences, as well as providing group activities.
The registered manager provided clear leadership and ensured there was an open and positive culture in the home. Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities and were proud of the quality of care they provided and were happy working in the home. They said they felt supported and respected by the management team.
People living in the home spoke very highly of the manager and said she was always approachable, positive and responsive. They said they felt listened to by the manager and her staff, and were encouraged to express themselves freely. We were told the home had a happy and relaxed atmosphere and our observations confirmed this.
Health professionals who supported the home commented very positively on the quality of the management of the home. They told us the manager was very professional in her approach and ran a very good home.