Archived: Alba Rose

Updated 28 July 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 checked 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.’

This inspection took place on 22 May 2017and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 6 June 2017 and this was announced.

The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector. An expert-by-experience attended on the first day of inspection. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service. The area of expertise was in older people.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service which included notifications submitted to CQC by the registered provider. We spoke with the responsible commissioning office from the local authority commissioning team about the service. The safeguarding team at the local authority were also contacted prior to the inspection to gain their views.

The registered provider had completed a provider information return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help plan for the inspection.

During the inspection we reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records including care planning documentation ten medicine administration records were reviewed. We also looked at three staff files, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal and training records, records relating to the management of the service and a wide variety of policies and procedures.

We spoke with eight people who used the service and one relative to gain their views. We also spoke with seven members of staff which included the registered managers, cook and the activities coordinator. We looked at all the facilities provided including communal lounges and dining areas, bathrooms and people's bedrooms with permission.

Updated 28 July 2017

Alba Rose is registered to provide residential accommodation for up to 22 older people. Accommodation is provided over two floors. At the time of this inspection the service was providing accommodation to 20 people.

This inspection took place on 22nd May 2017 and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 6 June 2017 and this was announced.

At the last inspection in December 2014, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Staff understood the procedure they needed to follow if they suspected abuse might be taking place. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and minimise them occurring. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies, around administering medication, were regularly checked.

There was sufficient staff on duty. On the day of inspection there was one senior and three care workers to support 20 people. The registered manager was also at the service but was not included in staffing number. Staff had time to provide one to one support and respond to people in a timely manner.

People were supported by a regular team of staff who were knowledgeable about their likes, dislikes and preferences. Most staff had completed up to date training although we did identify some staff who had not completed training in safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act. Supervision sessions had been delivered by the registered manager to cover shortfalls in such training.

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 supported this practice. Staff supported people to maintain their health and attend routine health care appointments and people were able to choose meals of their choice.

We found the provider had continued to provide a highly responsive service. People were actively involved in the development of their care plans and the areas that mattered to each individual the most. People worked with staff to develop specific instructions to guide staff on how they wished for the support to be delivered. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information that was meeting people’s care needs.

The emphasis was upon meaningful engagement which enhanced quality of life and helped people feel worthwhile and fulfilled. Each person had identified areas of interest within their care plan and was supported to pursue these.

People who used the service had access to a wide range of activities and leisure opportunities. They were encouraged to continue to participate in activities and hobbies that they had enjoyed prior to admission to the service.

The service had a clear process for handling complaints which the registered manager had followed.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and felt supported by the registered manager. Quality assurance processes were in place and regularly carried out by the registered manager to monitor and improve the quality of the service.

The service worked with various health and social care agencies and sought professional advice to ensure individual needs were being met.

Feedback was sought from people who used the service through regular ‘resident meetings’ and feedback forms. This information was analysed and action plans produced when needed.

Further information is in the detailed findings below: