Angelina Care

We found the following examples of good practice:

Visitors, including health and social care professionals were screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection before being allowed to enter the home. They were supported to follow national guidance on wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing. Arrangements were in place for some relatives to visit people at the home. The manager sought and followed advice from the community mental health team and Public Health England, and this ensured that these people could maintain links with family members in a safe way. Other people maintained contact with family members through video and telephone calls.

The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID 19 and was following government guidance on testing. The provider ensured all staff had received training on COVID 19, infection control and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE and were socially distancing throughout our visit. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic COVID 19 risk assessments were carried out with staff to ensure they could work safely at the home. The registered manager told us the provider paid for taxies to transfer staff to and from the home to minimise the risk of the spread of infection when travelling.

The home was following the current government guidance in relation to infection prevention and control. We saw the home was clean and hygienic throughout. The service had business continuity and COVID 19 contingency plans was in place that made provisions for safe care in the event of an emergency, or outbreak of COVID 19. The manager and staff worked closely with health and social care professionals to provide good care outcomes for people using the service.

At our last inspection on 8 April 2016 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. The service demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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.

The service had safeguarding and whistle-blowing procedures in place and staff had a clear understanding of these procedures. Appropriate recruitment checks took place before staff started work. There was enough staff available to meet people’s care and support needs. Risks to people had been assessed and reviewed regularly to ensure their needs were safely met. Medicines were managed appropriately and people were receiving their medicines as prescribed by health care professionals. The home had procedures in place to reduce the risk of the spread of infections.

Staff completed an induction when they started work and they received training relevant to people’s needs. Assessments of people’s care and support needs were carried out before they started using the service. People’s care files included assessments relating to their dietary support needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff treated people in a caring and respectful manner. People had been consulted about their care and support needs and they were supported to maintain relationships with people that were important to them. They could communicate their needs effectively and could understand information in the current written format provided. People were confident their complaints would be listened to and acted on. Staff said they would support people according to their diverse needs. None of the people living at the home required support with end of life care. However, the registered manager knew who to contact to access this type of care and support if it was required.

The provider recognised the importance of monitoring the quality of the service provided to people. They took people’s views into account through satisfaction surveys and residents meetings. The registered manager worked with other health care providers and professional bodies to make sure people received good care. Staff said they enjoyed working at the service and they received good support from the registered manager. There was an out of hours on call system in operation that ensured management support and advice was always available for staff when they needed it. The registered manager and staff were committed to supporting people to become independent and work towards moving into their own homes.

Angelina Care provides residential accommodation and support for up to 12 people living with mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection the home was providing support to 11 people. 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.

Risks to the health and safety of people using the service were identified, assessed and reviewed in line with the provider's policy. Medicines were managed, administered and stored safely. There were arrangements in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies. There were safeguarding adult’s policies and procedures in place to protect people from possible abuse and harm. Accidents and incidents involving people using the service were recorded and acted on appropriately. There were safe staff recruitment practices in place and appropriate numbers of staff were deployed throughout the home to meet people’s needs.

There were processes in place to ensure staff new to the home were inducted into the service appropriately. Staff received training that enabled them to fulfil their roles effectively and meet people’s needs. There were systems in place which ensured the service complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005). This provides protection for people who do not have capacity to make decisions for themselves. People’s nutritional needs and preferences were met and people had access to health and social care professionals when required.

People were treated with respect and were consulted about their treatment and support needs. Staff respected people’s dignity and privacy. People were supported to maintain relationships with relatives and friends and we observed that people were also supported to access community services. People’s support needs and risks were identified, assessed and documented within their care plan. People’s needs were reviewed and monitored on a regular basis. People were provided with information on how to make a complaint. The service worked with health and social care professionals to ensure people’s needs were met.

There were systems and processes in place to monitor and evaluate the service provided. There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection and they were knowledgeable about the requirements of a registered manager and their responsibilities with regard to the Health and Social Care Act 2014. People’s views about the service were sought and considered through residents meetings and satisfaction surveys.

On our follow up visit on the 30 January 2014 we found that the provider had made the required improvements and that people care plans and risk assessments were up to date and reflected people's needs. The care plans showed that people's activities of daily living and personal needs had been taken into consideration. Records were accurate and easily accessible. The provider had implemented documentation audits and regular checks had been carried out on the first aid kit.

We found that people were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in making decisions about their care. We saw that people living in the home were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had taken appropriate measures. Staff were supported in their roles through training and supervision. However, we also found that though care needs of the people living at the home had been assessed, some areas of care had not always been adequately planned. Records relating to people's care had not always been completed appropriately or could not always be located promptly when requested.