4 November 2011
During a routine inspection
Following our visit on 09 December 2011 we made a safeguarding alert to the local authority as we found information showing that the particular behaviour of one person was consistently being managed through the use of a 'time out' protocol. We made the alert as there was no evidence to show that this was up to date, contemporary practice, or had been agreed by any health or social care professionals. The matter is currently under investigation.
We were not familiar with the methods of communication of the individuals living at the home, and therefore could not communicate directly with them in order to obtain their views about the home. However, the interaction between people living at the home and those who care for them was closely observed and it was evident that staff were able to communicate effectively with the people living at the home.
Those individuals that we did speak with told us they were happy living at the home.
In total we looked at the personal care files of four people and found that, whilst there was a lot of information about people, the care plans were not person-centred and were disorganised. There was no clear process of assessment, care planning, risk assessment and guidelines for staff to follow to make sure they provided care and support in a consistent manner.
We found that relatives, representatives/advocates and health/social care professionals had not been properly consulted or involved in 'best interest' decisions relating to people's care and treatment. This means there was no proper consultation and agreement that the way in which people's behaviours were managed in the home were in the person's best interests. We found information showing that behaviours were being often being managed through restraint. As there was no evidence to show that this was up to date, contemporary practice, or had been agreed by any health or social care professionals, we made a safeguarding alert to the local authority.
The staff we spoke with knew what procedures to follow should an incident of mistreatment, abuse or neglect be witnessed, suspected or alleged.