We carried out an inspection at Heronswood Residential Care Home to look at the care and treatment that people who used the service received.At the time of our inspection the service provided care and support to seven people. As part of our inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives. We also spoke with six staff which included the new manager and the operations manager.
We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask:
Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service well-led?
Is the service safe?
We saw that, where appropriate, extra security had been installed which ensured the safety of the people who lived there. For example we saw that alarms had been installed on external doors to alert staff should a person wander out unaccompanied. This had followed an absconsion in 2013.
When we looked at a sample of care plans we found that risk assessments were in place to provide information to staff to help minimise any identified risks. We asked relatives if they felt their family member was safe, one relative told us, 'Yes, I really do.'
We saw that staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults which showed us that staff would know what to do should they suspect any abuse was taking place.
Is the service effective?
We saw that people's care plans had been regularly reviewed which ensured they remained up to date in order to reflect a person's needs. Both the people who used the service and their relatives told us that staff had a good understanding of their needs. One relative said, 'They know their needs totally.' Another relative told us, 'I really can't fault them.'
Is the service caring?
We saw that people were supported by extremely kind and attentive staff. Staff were seen to interact with people well. We saw that staff spent time sitting chatting and laughing with people.
One person who used the service told us, 'The staff are kind. They help me.'
Is the service responsive?
We saw that where people's needs had changed, or their health deteriorated, staff responded by involving an appropriate health care professional. One relative whose family member's mobility had improved since they had lived at Heronswood said that they felt that this was down to the staff.
Is the service well-led?
The provider had systems in place for monitoring the quality of the service. We saw that the new manager was making changes in response to some comments and suggestions from relatives.