Archived: North View

Updated 11 February 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We inspected North View on 4 January 2016 and the inspection was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of two adult social care inspectors.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the home. This included notifications received from the provider, and information from the local contracts and safeguarding teams. We had not asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) on this occasion. This is a form which asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection we looked at three people's care records, some in detail and others to review specific information, three staff recruitment files, staff training information and other records which related to the management of the service such as quality audits and policies and procedures.

We also spoke with two people who used the service and one relative as well as a health care professional who regularly worked with the service, five care staff, the manager and the unit manager.

Updated 11 February 2017

Our inspection of North View took place on 4 January 2017 and was unannounced. At the previous inspection in February 2016 we had found the service to be in breach of Regulation 17, Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) regarding good governance, as the service had not maintained complete records in respect of people living at the service or other records relating to staff. However, at this inspection we saw improvements had been made in these areas and the service was now meeting the relevant requirements.

North View is a converted house situated in the centre of Todmorden which provides accommodation and support for up to five people. At the time of our inspection there were five people living at the service.

The previous registered manager had recently left the company and a new manager was in place who had commenced the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 at the service. Staff understood how to keep people safe and safeguarding procedures were in place. Risks to people's health and safety were assessed with appropriate plans of care put in place to mitigate these risks. Care records were highly detailed and person centred.

Medicines were safely managed and administered. Staff had received medicines training and competency assessments and people received their medicines as prescribed. Protocols for 'as required' medicines were in place.

There were sufficient staff deployed to ensure people's care and support needs were safely met. The manager recognised the need for extra female staff and plans were in place to implement this. Staff and people had developed strong relationships and good interactions were observed. Recruitment procedures were robust and ensured staff employed were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

Staff training was tailored to the needs of the people who used the service although the manager recognised the need for more face to face training in areas such as autism. Regular staff supervisions and appraisals were in place.

The premises were well maintained and people were encouraged to personalise their bedrooms according to their tastes and choice.

People had access to a variety of food and assisted in shopping, preparation and cooking activities in order to promote their independence. Healthy eating and lifestyle choices were encouraged by the service.

People's preferences were respected within the home and reflected in activities and goals tailored to individuals. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and encouraged to achieve their personal goals through regular meetings and discussions with their key worker. People were involved in setting long and short term goals to develop life skills and personal development.

Healthcare professionals were involved in supporting people's care where appropriate.

There was a relaxed and homely atmosphere in the home and people were at ease with the staff who were supporting them.

The manager was respected and staff felt supported by the management team. Staff told us morale was good and all staff worked well together as a team.

A range of audits and checks were undertaken to monitor the quality of the service and identify any improvements needed.