During this inspection we found that the management of medication had improved. There were arrangements in place to make sure that appropriate checks were undertaken before any new staff began work and since our last inspection staff were receiving regular supervision and training relevant to the needs of the people they supported.
We spoke to three people using the service. We spoke to a visiting advocate and a psychiatrist.
People using the service said they required minimal support from staff and they went about their daily routines independently. They said they had a cooked meal each day and they could buy some food and cook for themselves if they wished. They told us they were treated with respect by staff and managers. They attended regular residents meetings. One person said 'I get a chance to make suggestions and comments about important things'. Another person said 'I am able to talk and express things if I want to'.
They said they looked after their own medication. One person said. 'Staff reminds me to take my medication and when I need to attend appointments. This helps me to keep well. I see my General Practitioner every three months and he reviews my medication'.
One person said about staff 'The staff are very agreeable understanding people and have a good idea of what I require'. Another person said 'The staff are not too bad, they listen to what I have to say. I am happy with them'. The other person said 'The staff are helpful and understanding'.
A visiting advocate said 'The registered provider is very focused on what is best for the people using the service. He wants the best for them and he is keen that people using the service have a voice and they are listened to. It is also very clear that staff really care about the people that live here'.
A visiting psychiatrist said they had been attending to people using the service for three years. People's care needs were very well looked after. If staff had any concerns they were straight on the phone to them although they felt it was sometimes difficult to arrange appointments. They said they had never heard people using the service raising concerns or making complaints about the service.
We found that appropriate checks were not undertaken before staff began working at the service. We also found that there was a lack of supervision and appraisal and relevant training for staff.