Bilton Court is a care home providing care and support for up to 48 older people, some with dementia and some with a physical disability. It is situated on a residential estate on the outskirts of the town of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. On the day of our visit, there were 42 people living in the home.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 6 May 2015.
The service had a registered manager. 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.
People told us they felt safe living in the service. This was also confirmed by the relatives that we spoke with, who said that staff kept their family members safe and free from harm.
Staff had an understanding of abuse and the safeguarding procedures that should be followed to report potential abuse. Systems in place had been followed and appropriate action taken to keep people safe, minimising any risks to health and safety.
Risk assessments within people’s care records were completed accurately and reviewed regularly. Staff knew how to manage risks to promote people’s safety, and balanced these against people’s rights to take risks.
Staff told us that they were not allowed to commence employment until robust checks had taken place in order to establish that they were safe to work with vulnerable people. There were adequate numbers of staff on duty to support people safely and ensure everyone had opportunities to take part in activities of their choice.
Medicines were managed safely and the systems and processes in place ensured that the administration, storage, disposal and handling of medicines were suitable for the people who lived at the service.
There was a positive culture within the service that was demonstrated by the attitudes of staff that were supported through a system of induction and training based on the needs of the people who lived there.
Staff understood the processes in place to protect people who could not make decisions. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions, we found that best interest meetings were held and details documented in people’s care records.
People told us that the food they had was good and they had sufficient quantities of it. They also said that they had a good choice of meals and were able to get snacks and fluids throughout the day.
People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment to meet their individual needs. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the treatment they needed.
People were relaxed, comfortable and happy with the staff that supported them. Staff talked with people in a friendly manner and they assisted people as required, whilst encouraging them to be as independent as possible.
There were regular reviews of care for each person who used the service which enabled individual care to be monitored.
People felt that staff maintained their privacy and dignity and respected them as individuals.
Staff said that communication in the home was good and they felt able to make suggestions. There were regular meetings for staff which gave them an opportunity to share ideas and give information about possible improvements to the registered manager.
People and their relatives told us that they knew who to speak to if they wanted to raise a concern. They were happy with the service provided and how staff provided their support. There were systems in place for responding to complaints.
The service was led by a registered manager who had good support from the provider. It was evident that staff strived to provide good quality care for people and took the chance to learn lessons so improvements could be made in the future.