A single inspector carried out this inspection. The focus of the inspection was to answer five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.
If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People we spoke with told us their rooms and other areas were clean. They told us: 'They (staff) clean my room regularly' and, 'Nice and clean here'. The registered manager regularly checked the cleanliness of the home which ensured the risk of infection was reduced.
People were kept safe as systems had been in place to make sure that the registered manager and staff learnt from events such as accidents and incidents. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards which applies to care homes. The provider had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. There were no current applications in place. This meant that people would be safeguarded as required.
Is the service effective?
People's health and care needs were assessed with them, but they were not always involved in writing their care plans due to their conditions. The provider had also considered information and involvement from relatives, other health professionals and staff. One person told us: 'They look after me and know the care I need'.
People told us they were involved in their care and staff helped them to remain independent. One person told us: 'I have my independence, they give me a choice'. We saw that people's preferred routines, likes and dislikes had been recorded and staff knew about them. People told us that visitors were able to see them at any time and the home were accommodating and welcoming.
The staff told us told us their training had been kept current and that they had received formal supervisions. This meant the provider demonstrated that staff employed to work at the home had the skills and experience needed to support the people living there.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. One person told us: 'I am comfortable here. Helpful staff and I could not wish to be in a better place'.
Staff we spoke with had a good knowledge of people's individual needs, and knew how to support people so that their needs were met. Staff spoke about people as individuals and we observed that staff listened to people's views and opinions.
Is the service responsive?
People completed a range of activities regularly and the provider had staff dedicated to arranging and supporting people to attend these activities. One staff member told us: 'I change the activities often and it's their (people who used the service) choice. They told me they liked the Monday activities so they have stayed the same'.
We saw the home had been responsive to people's changing needs and had responded to professional advice that had been provided. For example, one person had been reviewed as their level of needs increased and professional input had been sought.
Is the service well-led?
The provider had a quality assurance system in place. We saw records that identified shortfalls and the actions that had been taken to address them. The provider listened and responded to people, staff and visitors who had left comments and suggestions.
Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff told us that they felt the home reflected people's care and welfare needs. They told us that the system in place meant they felt supported in their role and where to find information when needed. For example, there was information about each person so staff knew the care and support they needed. Staff also recorded the care and support they provided to each person on a daily basis.