Archived: Conifers

An inspection was carried out by two Inspectors, who visited unannounced on the 05 August 2014, and by one inspector who visited announced on the 08 August 2014. The visits were made to follow up on the compliance action that had been made on the 19 June 2013. We were also following up on information we had received from social services.

During the visit we met and talked with people that used the service, the provider/manager, the acting manager, care staff and a visiting community psychiatric nurse (CPN). They helped answer our five questions;

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and from looking at records. We found overall that action had been taken and improvements had been made by management and staff since our last inspection.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

The service was safe. People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. People told us that they felt safe.

We observed that care records were reviewed and regular auditing was undertaken to ensure that people were protected against the risks of inappropriate or unsafe care and treatment.

The provider was in the process of renewing flooring and re-decorating the premises. A person had been employed to carry out cleaning duties to make sure that cleanliness was maintained.

We found that records required to be kept to protect people's safety and wellbeing were maintained, held securely and available when required.

Is the service effective?

The service was effective. People's health and care needs were assessed with them and/or their representatives. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required.

We found that the staff referred people appropriately to their GP and other health and social care professionals. This meant that people had the care and treatment that they needed.

Is the service caring?

The service was caring. We saw that staff interacted well with people and knew how to relate to them and how to communicate with them. People we spoke with told us that they were happy with the care they received and that they got the help they needed.

Is the service responsive?

The service was responsive. We found that the staff listened to people, and took appropriate action to deal with any concerns.

The provider/manager was currently responding to issues raised by Kent County Council to make sure that their contractual requirements were met.

Care plans showed that the care staff noticed if someone was unwell, or needed a visit from a health professional such as a dentist or optician. The staff acted promptly to make appointments for people.

Is the service well-led?

The provider/manager told us that he had now employed an acting manager to assist with the management of the home.

There were systems in place to provide on-going monitoring of the home. This included checks for the environment, health and safety, fire safety and staff training needs.

The staff confirmed that they had individual supervision and staff meetings. This enabled them to share ideas and concerns.

We found that monitoring and auditing systems were in place with the exception of cleanliness and infection control, which had resulted in issues failing to be highlighted or addressed. We found all other audits and checks to be effective in identifying and addressing any shortfalls in relation to the quality of care delivered.

we found that people were encouraged to exercise their independence and made daily choices about their care and support.

We spoke to all the people who use the service and they said that they were aware of their care plans, had signed them and were able to tell us what was in them. People told us that the staff regularly went through their care plans with them.

We saw that bedrooms were individual and personalised with photographs andpersonal belongings. We saw that the old furniture had been replaced and the environment had been decorated. The people who use the service and staff commented that the home was much nicer now. We found that the environment had improved to a standard that the people who use the service and staff found acceptable. The manager told us that he is continuing to working through the programme of repair and

maintenance