Archived: Hart Lodge

Hart Lodge provides accommodation and 24 hour support with personal care for up to 11 adults with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were nine people using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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.

The service was safe and had practices in place to protect people from harm. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and what to do if they had any concerns and how to report them. People who used the service told us they felt safe and protected from harm.

Risk assessments were personalised and staff knew what to do in an emergency situation.

Staffing levels were meeting the needs of the people who used the service and staff demonstrated that they had the relevant knowledge to support people with their care.

Recruitment practices were safe and records confirmed this.

Medicines were managed and administered safely and audited on a regular basis. People who used the service had risk assessments in place for their medicines.

Newly recruited care staff received an induction and shadowed senior members of staff. Training for care staff was provided on a regular basis and updated regularly. Staff spoke positively about the training they were provided.

Care staff demonstrated an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how they obtained consent on a daily basis. Consent was recorded in people’s care plans. People who used the service were free from restriction to go out independently and each person had a front door key.

People were supported with maintaining a balanced diet and the people who used the service prepared their own meals and had access to the kitchen without restriction.

People were supported to have access to healthcare services and receive on-going support. The service made referrals to healthcare professionals when necessary.

Positive relationships were formed between care staff and the people who used the service and care staff demonstrated how well they knew the people they cared for.

The service supported people to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their care. People who used the service told us they felt in control of their care and involved with their care plans.

The service promoted the independence of the people who used the service and people felt respected and treated with dignity.

Care plans were detailed and contained relevant information about people who used the service and their needs. Care plans were reviewed and any changes were documented accordingly.

Concerns and complaints were encouraged and listened to and records confirmed this. People who used the service told us they knew how to make a complaint.

The registered manager and deputy manager for the service had good relationships with staff and the people who used the service.

The service had quality assurance methods in place and carried out regular audits. The service monitored the feedback from people who used the service by way of an annual questionnaire.

We found that medication was stored securely and records were kept relating to medication. The premises were properly maintained and safety checks such as fire alarm tests were carried out. People had their own bedrooms which they were able to personalise to their taste. The service had enough staff to meet people's needs and they undertook training, for example about the administration of medication and food hygiene safety.

We found medications were stored securely, and given in a safe manner. People told us they were happy with the support provided with medication. One person said "they give me my medication in the morning and before I go to bed. They give me a glass of water with it." We found that there were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs, and people spoke positively about the staff. One person said "I think they (staff) have being really great. They make me feel better." However, we found that staff had not undertaken all training necessary for them to support people safely. For instance staff had not undertaken training in safeguarding adults or food hygiene. We found that systems were in place to monitor the quality of care at the service, and that people were asked for their views on the care provided.