Archived: Copper Beeches

On the day of our inspection there was a registered manager in place. 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 were protected from the risk of harm because staff could identify the potential signs of abuse and knew who to report any concerns to. Risks to people’s safety were continually assessed and reviewed. People’s freedom was not unnecessarily restricted. There were enough staff to keep people safe, although some people living at the home felt more staff were needed to support them. People’s medicines were managed safely.

Staff completed an induction prior to commencing their role and staff training was up to date. Staff performance was regularly reviewed to enable them to support people effectively.

The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005), including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, had had been followed when decisions were made about people’s care. People were provided with food and drink that met their needs, although the lunchtime experience was made slower due to the electronic menu not working on the day of the inspection. People’s day to day health needs were met by staff. Referrals to relevant health services were made where needed.

Staff understood people’s needs; they showed a genuine interest in what they had to say and were kind, caring and compassionate. People’s privacy and dignity were maintained and staff spoke with them in a respectful way. However, there was one example where a staff member did not respect a person’s privacy. People and/or their relatives were involved with decisions made about their care and were encouraged to lead as independent a life as possible. People were provided with information about how they could access independent advocates. People’s friends and relatives were able to visit whenever they wanted to.

Activities were provided for people who were willing and able to take part. More needed to be done to support people who were less able. People’s care records were person centred and focused on providing them with care and support in the way in which they wanted. People were provided with the information they needed if they wished to make a complaint, however some people felt their complaints were not always dealt with appropriately.

People were encouraged to provide feedback about the quality of the service and this information was used to make improvements where needed. Feedback from questionnaires was positive. Quality assurance processes were in place. Staff enjoyed their job and spoke highly of the registered manager. Staff understood and could explain how they would use the whistleblowing process.

We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask;

Is the service,

' safe ?

' effective ?

' caring ?

' responsive ?

' well led ?

This is a summary of what we found;

Is the service safe?

People had been cared for in an environment that was safe, clean and hygienic. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home and the manager was available on call in case of emergencies.

Staff had received training with regard to safeguarding people and those we spoke with were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities.

Staff personnel records contained all the information required by the Health and Social Care Act. This meant the provider could demonstrate that the staff employed to work at the home were suitable and had the skills and experience needed to support the people living in the home.

One person we spoke with said, 'It's good care we get here.' Another person said, 'I feel safe. They know what they're doing.'

Is the service effective?

People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. Care plans we saw confirmed people's preferences, needs, likes and dislikes had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.

People had access to activities that were meaningful and an activities co-ordinator was employed for five hours each day. They told us they did some activities with groups of people and some on a one to one basis.

Is the service caring?

People told us that they were happy with the care that had been delivered and their needs had been met. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of the people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. One person told us. "They are good to us here.'

Staff had received a variety of training to enable them to meet the needs of the people living at the home. This included, dementia awareness, safeguarding vulnerable adults and the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. People told us 'The staff are lovely.'

Is the service responsive?

Records showed that people received assessment and treatment from NHS health care professionals when required. These records also showed us that the service responded to changes in a person's needs or in the way they wished to be supported. Care plans had been reviewed and up-dated to reflect changes.

We saw that people had any concerns or complaints listened to and the manager took appropriate action to resolve the situation. We also saw that satisfaction survey results were collated and any necessary actions were undertaken in response.

Is the service well led?

Staff we spoke with told us the manager was approachable and responsive to anything they raised with him. They said the training was of a good quality and equipped them to work safely and effectively.

People living at the service told us the manager was always around and talked to them to make sure they were happy.

The manager was very knowledgeable about the people living at Copper Beeches and about the staff team.

Throughout our visit we observed that staff spoke with people in a dignified and respectful manner. We found that people had an opportunity to express their views, were involved in making decisions about their day to day care and support and were encouraged to make their own choices.

One person we spoke with told us, 'Things we had at home we have here in the home. I am looking forward to my lunch. I like everything about the place.' Another person told us, 'I feel at home here. It is homely and I am comfortable and well looked after.'

We spoke to one person in their room who described the staff as 'wonderful', and told us the provider regularly visited them to check on and respond to any concerns they had.

A relative who was visiting the home said, 'They (staff) do a lot of good. The home supports my relative well. The only thing I would like to see improve is access to more activities.'