Management and administration

 

CSCI Key Inspection Report

 

These are the outcomes that people staying in care homes should experience. They reflect the things that people have said are important to them:

 

People have confidence in the care home because it is led and managed appropriately.

 

People control their own money and choose how they spend it. If they or someone close to them cannot manage their money, it is managed by the care home in their best interests. The environment is safe for people and staff because appropriate health and safety practices are carried out.

 

People get the right support from the care home because the manager runs it appropriately with an open approach that makes them feel valued and respected. The people staying at the home are safeguarded because it follows clear financial and accounting procedures, keeps records appropriately and ensures their staff understand the way things should be done. They get the right care because the staff are supervised and supported by their managers.

 

 

This is what people staying in this care home experience:

 

Judgement:

 

People using this service experience excellent quality outcomes in this area. We have made this judgement using a range of evidence, including a visit to this service.

 

The procedures within the home are thorough so the health, safety and welfare of the people who live there are protected. Staff are well supervised and there are processes in place to make sure the home is run in the best interests of the people who live there.

 

Evidence:

 

The manager has worked at Stone House for twenty-two years, and fourteen of these as the manager. She has the registered managers award and she knows the service well so she can make sure that is it run well for the people who live there. She represents an excellent role model for staff working in the home. She has worked hard to make sure that the standard of care being provided is good, that record keeping is good and that staff are all aware of the policies and procedures for the home. She provides good leadership to make sure that the diverse and individual needs of the people who live in the home are met with respect and dignity. The ethos of Stone House is open and transparent.

 

There is an established quality assurance process for the home which includes a monthly residents' meeting, comment cards and letters and surveys sent to people who use the service, relatives and other professionals. The survey was completed in November 2008 and people who live at Stone House commented: "The staff are lovely", "Would like to see more fish on the menu", "Staff are always there if you need them" and "I came to look around the home and stayed for my lunch, this is by far the best home I have seen". Feedback from relatives and health and social care visitors included: "Many thanks for the support you give my relative", "Very pleased with the care mum receives", "Excellent standard of care", "Friendly staff and good atmosphere" and "I found it to be very homely and welcoming with lovely staff". An analysis of the completed surveys has been produced and is available for people to read and have their own copy if requested.

 

Residents' meetings are held informally each month. Notes are kept of the meeting and actions needed to be taken are recorded, with who is dealing with each one.

 

The manager stated that she doesn't keep any money on the premises on behalf of the people who live in the home. Each person has their own account with the home and cash can be obtained if needed. Any purchases made by the people who use the service or on their behalf is included in a monthly invoice to the next of kin or other representative.

 

Day to day supervision of the staff team is good and formal supervision is completed regularly. A list is available on the office wall for senior staff to see when supervision sessions are due. It was seen that supervision had been completed during the August and September before our visit and was due again shortly.

 

The manager supervises the senior staff and the senior staff supervise the care staff.

 

Safe working practices were in place in the home. The fire safety equipment test log book is up to date; checks had been made on the fire safety system and extinguishers and staff received regular fire awareness training. There were up to date safety checks on the home's gas installation and electrical system. There were policies available about safe working practices including a range of risk assessments, moving and handling, health and safety and food safety. These checks make sure that the home is a safe place for people to live and work in.

 

 

Read about 'Outstanding statutory requirements'