This inspection took place on the 18 February 2016 and was unannounced. Tudor Rose is a care home registered to provide accommodation and personal care for four adults with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection there were four people living at Tudor Rose. The home is located close to the town of Alton. People were accommodated in single bedrooms. At the time of our inspection building works were being carried out to improve the facilities in the home by adding en-suite bathrooms, a staff sleep over room, and improvements to the garden and communal areas. An additional bedroom was being added as the provider planned to increase the occupancy of the home to five people.The service had a registered manager. However, the registered manager had been absent from the service since 13 November 2015 due to unforeseen circumstances. 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. An interim manager was in place to cover the absence of the registered manager.
People’s relatives told us people were cared for safely at all times. Staff had completed training in safeguarding people from abuse and records showed any concerns raised were acted on appropriately. Details about how staff, people and others could report any concerns about people’s safety directly to the provider were displayed in the home.
Staff knew about the risks to people’s safety and wellbeing and these were recorded in their care plans. Risk management plans provided guidance for staff on supporting people safely and minimising risks to them and others. Information was available to staff and others as required to support people in an emergency situation. Some of this information required updating and the manager assured us this would be completed without delay. People practised fire drills so they knew how to act in the event of an emergency evacuation due to a fire.
Sufficient staff were deployed to meet people’s needs and care for them safely. When agency staff were used they completed an induction into the home and people’s needs. Wherever possible the same agency staff were used. This provided a consistency of care for people. Staff were recruited safely. The provider carried out the required pre-employment checks to protect people from the employment of unsuitable staff.
People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff were trained and assessed as competent to administer people’s medicines.
People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the Mental Capacity Act (2005). The application procedures for this in care homes are called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
DoLS Applications for all people living at Tudor Rose had been made in October 2014. The outcome of these was not evident in the care plans we reviewed. A mental capacity assessment and best interest decision making process had not been followed prior to the submission of the DoLS applications. This meant there was a lack of written evidence as required to demonstrate how the decision to submit DoLS applications for people had been made and whether the applications made had been authorised.
Staff completed an induction into their role and completed training to enable them to meet people’s needs. All staff were trained to use Makaton which is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate. This meant people were supported by staff who could use their preferred method of communication.
People were supported to maintain good nutrition. People’s needs in relation to nutrition were assessed and monitored to identify any additional support required. People chose the food they ate and were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Staff acted promptly to ensure people’s healthcare needs were met. People records included information about their healthcare appointments and any follow up treatment required. People were supported to maintain their health.
There was good continuity of staff who had been in post for some time. This meant people had established relationships with staff who knew them well. People’s relatives told us this was important and that the staff were caring in their approach to people, enabling them to build positive relationships.
The provider and staff were committed to ensuring any new person coming into the home would be compatible with the existing residents people and share their communication methods. This meant people’s needs were considered and respected.
People were supported by staff who knew their interests and preferences. Staff were aware of how people preferred to be supported if they became distressed and spoke about people with warmth and compassion. People were supported to communicate their views, decisions and feelings. People were treated with dignity and respect and enabled to enjoy private relationships with friends and family.
People were supported to engage in a range of activities to meet their needs and interests. People enjoyed doing activities together and when they preferred to do different activities this was accommodated.
People’s care plans were person-centred and included information about their needs, preferences and abilities. Monthly meetings with their keyworkers enabled people to be involved in the review and planning of their care. Where people’s needs changed these were updated on their care plans so they continued to receive appropriate care.
Staff acted promptly to ensure where people’s need changed they received the appropriate support. This included support from other professionals to assess people’s needs and provide guidance for staff on how to support people effectively. This helped people to maintain and improve their quality of life.
A complaints procedure was in place and available to people in an accessible format, such as easy read and pictorial. No complaints had been received, however people’s relatives told us they were able to raise concerns and these were responded to.
The provider had ensured adequate management support was in place for people and staff in the absence of the registered manager. Staff spoke positively about managers and team work in the home. Relatives told us the home had an ‘open’ culture and the registered manager responded to their feedback and concerns. Some relatives felt communication had fallen short over the proposed building works and occupancy changes. This had been responded to by the provider.
Staff demonstrated the provider’s values in their work with people and managers worked alongside staff to monitor this in practice. People and their relatives were asked for their feedback on the service and this was acted on. A quality assurance system was in place to drive continuous improvement to the service people received.