Archived: Pro-Care Dispersed Housing Ltd Avondale Lodge

At the last inspection on 12 August 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the service remained ‘Good’.

During this inspection, we asked people if they felt safe at the home and they responded positively. A variety of environmental and personal care risk assessments had been implemented to reduce the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care. The home had on display at the entrance their safeguarding policy to inform people who to contact should they have concerns.

The registered manager and staff demonstrated they protected people from unsafe management of their medicines. For example, the management team completed regular audits and medication risk assessments to check procedures were robust.

We saw from records and people’s comments the management team recruited staff carefully and safely. One person who lived at Avondale said, “The new staff member is really good. She’s fitted in so well.” We found evidence in staff files that all employees received training to assist them in their roles. Avondale had a full complement of staff and there were sufficient skill mixes to assist each person safely, quickly and competently.

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 told us they enjoyed their food and had choice around what to eat. Staff received food hygiene training and completed records to evidence regular kitchen cleaning took place.

We observed staff demonstrated an in-depth awareness of each person who lived at Avondale. People said they always found staff were caring and they enjoyed living at the home. They said the management team planned support collaboratively with them and their relatives.

People told us staff were consistently responsive to their needs and engaged with them in ways that helped to improve their lives. Care records contained detailed information about each person’s backgrounds, current status and their support preferences.

The management team completed regular quality assurance audits to ensure staff met the expected outcomes of care provision. They held regular ‘resident’ meetings to check for concerns and to involve those who lived at Avondale in its development. Staff told us they felt the management team were supportive in their work.

We spoke with people who lived at the home. They told us they could express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care. They told us they felt listened to when discussing their care needs. One person said, 'I'm happy here. I like having a bit of peace of quiet and I like the other lads. It's just right. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.'

We spent time in areas of the home, including the lounge and dining areas. This helped us to observe the daily routines and gain an insight into how people's care and support was being managed. We observed staff interactions with those in their care. We found staff treated people with respect and provided support or attention when requested.

We found that people's personal needs had been assessed to make sure they got safe and appropriate care that supported their rights. People were found to receive care and support that they felt made a difference to their health and wellbeing. We found that the manager was found to carried out relevant checks when staff were employed. However, we found that one staff member's Criminal Record Bureaux checked was in need to updating. The provider should take note that records such as these should be updated as and when required.

The people we spoke to thought the manager and staff were good at keeping them informed of developments, and were interested in their care and support arrangements. The manager provided clear written evidence that related to the different systems that were used for making decisions about the types of care and support people need. This showed how risks to people's health, welfare and safety were managed.