A single inspector carried out this inspection. The focus of the inspection was to answer five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at. We spoke with five people who used the service and two family members. We spoke with the registered manager and two care workers. We also spoke to a care coordinator from the local Clinical Commissioning Group and one social worker. We looked at five care records and four staff records.
If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.
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 a member of the management team was available on call in case of emergencies. A person who used the service told us that 'I feel safe here. There are staff on duty 24 hours a day; there are locks on the doors and alarms around the building.' One care worker told us that 'safeguarding is a constant consideration of my job.' We saw evidence that all staff had received safeguarding training and those with whom we spoke demonstrated a good understanding of the signs of abuse and were familiar with the safeguarding policy of the home.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.
Is the service effective?
People we spoke with told us that they were happy with the care they received and felt their needs were being met. It was clear from what we saw and from speaking with staff that they understood people's care and support needs and had a good relationship with them. One person who used the service told us, 'this is the first time in years that I can say I am mentally well, and it is all to do with living here.' Another told us how the support they received had 'stabilised' them. We saw that staff had received training to meet the needs of the people living at the home.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by responsive and attentive staff. We saw that care workers gave encouragement when supporting people and spoke to them in a respectful manner. A family member told us that they could visit the service at any time and that staff made them feel welcomed. This family member told us that the home had 'removed all the worry I had about my relative.' A person who used the service told us that, 'staff are thoughtful and polite, they look after you.'
Is the service responsive?
People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home. People told us they met with their key workers once a month to discuss what was important to them. Records confirmed that people's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided that met their wishes. People had access to activities that were important to them and had been supported to maintain relationships with their friends and relatives if they wished. We saw that care plans were amended in line with the persons changing needs, in consultation with the care coordinator. A person who used the service told us that when he needed support to attend medical appointments, 'I ask for help to go there and I always get it.' The registered manager told us, 'it is important that we are all working towards the same goal of recovery.'
Is the service well-led?
Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and they told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Quality assurance processes were in place and people were encouraged to complete a service user survey. Family members told us they were frequently asked for their views on the quality of the service provided. A care worker told us how their work was closely supervised and said, 'the manager is very knowledgeable and approachable.' The registered manager told us, 'we are all fully committed to getting it right.' We spoke with a care coordinator from the local Clinical Commissioning Group. They said, 'it is clear from the style of management that staff feel valued and want to do their best.