Archived: The Bridgings Limited (Redcar)

The inspection team was made up of one adult social care inspector. The inspector spoke with three people who used the service, the manager and a senior support worker.

We set out to answer our five questions; is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, and the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

Care plans and risk assessments were in place and were updated as people's needs changed. Care records detailed the support people required and encouraged people to be independent where possible. People we spoke with during the inspection told us that they felt safe.

We found that people had been weighed and their BMI had been calculated. However, staff had not carried out all steps of the nutritional screening tool to identify those people who were under nourished or at risk of malnutrition or obese. This meant that there was a potential risk that people did receive timely and appropriate intervention if they lost weight. The manager told us that they would take immediate action and ensure that a nutritional screening was undertaken on all people who used the service as a matter of urgency.

People were supported to have adequate nutrition and hydration.

Staff we spoke with during the inspection were knowledgeable about the people they cared for. Staff we spoke with were aware of risk management plans that had been written for people with particular needs.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The home had flow charts that had been provided by the local authority in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; however there was limited information contained within the homes policies and procedures. During discussion the manager demonstrated a clear understanding of DoLS and the Mental Capacity Act. Staff had received training in relations to these topics along with the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and had an understanding of the actions to take. This meant that people were safeguarded as required.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed and people and their relatives had been involved in writing the plan of care. Care and support plans were reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

We saw that people's needs were regularly reviewed. There was evidence of people being involved in assessments of their needs and planning of care. Specialist dietary needs had been assessed and included within plans of care.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care staff showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people.

People who used the service, their relatives and friends were regularly asked for their views on the care and service provided. Where shortfalls or concerns were raised, however small, these were taken on board and dealt with.

Is the service responsive?

People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy. Discussion with the manager during the inspection confirmed that any concerns or complaints were taken seriously. We looked at the complaints there had not been any complaints made in the last 12 months.

People took part in a range of activities both in and out of the home. This helped to keep people involved in their local community.

Is the service well led?

The home had a registered manager, who was supported by the provider and administrative systems. The manager and staff had a good understanding of quality assurance processes and records showed that identified problems and opportunities to change things for the better were addressed promptly. As a result the quality of the service was continuously improving. There was also regular input from the provider, including visits to the service.

Staff told us that they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and all senior staff understood and shared the responsibility of quality assurance processes. This helped to ensure that people received a good quality service at all times.

What people told us.

During the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service, the manager and a senior support worker.

People who used the service told us that they were very happy with the care and service received. One person said, 'I get on well with everyone else who lives here and the staff are very good.' Another person said, 'My key worker is lovely and she really looks after me.'

People told us that they went out on a regular basis and that they were going on holiday this month. One person said, 'I go out on my own to the boating lake and into town. I will stop at the caf' and have some lunch.' Another person said, 'I like to go shopping.'

We asked people about the food and meals provided. One person said, 'I like most things but I really like roast pork with crackling on a Sunday.' Another person said, ' We have a takeaway on a Saturday. I like to go to the curry house but the others like kebab and pizza.'

We saw that the atmosphere in the home was friendly and relaxed. The staff were attentive and demonstrated a good knowledge and understanding of the people's needs.

We saw that people had their needs assessed and that care plans were in place. We saw that there were effective processes in place to ensure safe sharing of information with other providers.

Staff had received appropriate training and had regular supervision and appraisals.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse

The quality of the service was monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

We found the home had systems in place to ensure maintenance and improvements were carried out. However there were areas of the home in need of repair and this had not been undertaken.

We observed staff interacting well with people and saw there was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere between people living and working at the home. We found that, where possible, people were encouraged to be independent. A number of people who used the service were out on placements on the day of the visit. People we spoke with told us they were looking forward to going on holiday. This contributed to maintaining people's welfare and promoting their wellbeing.

We found the premises that people, staff and visitors used were safe and suitable and that people were supported by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

We found there was an effective complaints system in place.