Archived: Clifton View

People who used the service were supported by staff who understood the importance of protecting them from harm. Staff had received training in how to identify abuse and report this to the appropriate authorities. Staff that had been recruited safely were provided in enough numbers to meet the needs of the people who used the service.

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.

Staff we spoke with had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005). Capacity to make specific decisions was recorded in people's care plans.

People were supported by staff who had training and support to maintain their skills and knowledge to meet their 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 supported this practice.

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

People received a choice of meals and staff supported them to eat and drink enough. They were referred to health care professionals as needed and staff followed the advice these professionals gave them. People's personal and health care needs were met and care records guided staff in how to do this.

People using the service and staff were kept informed about developments in the service. Checks had been completed as a way of ensuring the quality of the service provided. This included questionnaires sent to people using the service, their representatives and staff. The service had a clear process for handling complaints which the registered manager had followed.

The people we spoke with told us they were involved in a variety of social activities in the community and carried out day to day living skills, such as cleaning their rooms and food shopping. They said they went on outings with their families, as well as to discos and on holiday.

There were systems in place to make sure people received their medications safely and we saw staff had completed training on this subject.

People who used the service, and the staff we spoke with, said there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. We saw they received the support they needed in a timely manner from staff who were competent in their role.

People's personal records were in the main accurate and fit for purpose. However, we found some records had not been reviewed and updated in a timely manner. Records were kept securely and could be located promptly when needed.

People's comments indicated they received the care and support they needed and they were happy with how staff delivered their care. One person said, 'We are looked after well.' Another person told us, 'It's nice here.'

We saw people were encouraged to be involved in social activities, attended day centres and carried out day to day living skills, such as cleaning their rooms and doing their laundry.

People received well balanced meals and were involved in formulating menus. Staff promoted healthy eating and checked people were eating and drinking properly.

The premises were in a satisfactory state of repair and were clean and fresh. Where areas had been identified as needing attention action had been taken to address these or improvements were planned. The people we spoke with were happy with their rooms and the general facilities provided.

Background checks had been carried out on staff before they started to work at the home. This included ensuring staff underwent a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

We saw the complaints procedure was available to people who used and visited the service. People told us they felt comfortable taking any concerns to the manager.