18 November 2015
During a routine inspection
The Croft is a very small residential care home that provides care and accommodation for up to three older people. The home is situated in the centre of the town of Appleby. The Croft is a large detached period property set in well maintained gardens with some seating areas for people to enjoy the gardens and there is ample parking space. The accommodation is over two levels with a stair lift accessing the second floor.
There was a registered manager who is also the provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the (CQC) 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.
The recruitment procedures demonstrated that the provider operated an effective recruitment procedure to ensure that fit and proper persons had been employed.
Medicines were being administered and recorded appropriately and were being kept safely.
There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people’s needs and promote people’s safety.
Where safeguarding concerns or incidents had occurred these had been reported by the registered manager to the appropriate authorities and we could see records of the actions taken by the home to protect people.
Staff had completed initial training that enabled them to deliver care and support safely. However some staff required elements of training to be updated to refresh their skills and knowledge.
People were supported to maintain good health and appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals were made.
There was a clear management structure in place and staff were very happy with the level of support they received from the registered manager.
Informal audits and quality monitoring systems were used to demonstrate the safety and quality of the home.
We recommended that all staff including the registered manager refreshed and updated their skills and knowledge of some specific topics.