Cornerstone Dyce Care Home Service 9-11 Altonrea Gardens Dyce ABERDEEN AB21 7NQ Inspected by: (Care Commission Officer) Type of inspection: Mary Morris Unannounced Inspection completed on: 30 March 2008 1/6
Service Number Service name CS2003000215 Cornerstone Dyce Service address 9-11 Altonrea Gardens Dyce ABERDEEN AB21 7NQ Provider Number Provider Name SP2003000013 Cornerstone Community Care Inspected By Inspection Type Mary Morris Care Commission Officer Unannounced Inspection Completed Period since last inspection 30 March 2008 Local Office Address Johnstone House, Rose Street, Aberdeen 2/6
Introduction The service is situated within a residential area of Dyce, one of the suburbs of Aberdeen. The service is provided by Cornerstone Community Care and has been registered with the Care Commission since 1 April 2004. The service provides support up to a maximum of 8 adults with learning difficulties. The service aims to "promote independence, dignity and participation in the local community...to encourage residents to go out and use community facilities and take as much control over their lives as possible." Basis of Report The service was inspected on an unannounced basis by one Care Commission Officer on 30 March 2008. Time was spent in discussion with six service users and three members of staff. The communal living areas and one service user's bedroom were viewed. A variety of record were inspected. Feedback was given to the manager on 18 April 2008. Thanks go to service users and staff for their help during the inspection. The service submitted a completed Annual Return as requested by the Care Commission. The Self-Evaluation Form The service did not submit a self-evaluation form as requested by the Care Commission Regulation Support Assessment This service was inspected after a Regulation Support Assessment (RSA) was carried out to determine the intensity of inspection necessary. The RSA is an assessment undertaken by the Care Commission Officer (CCO) which considers: complaints activity, changes in the provision of the service, nature of notifications made to the Care Commission by the service (such as absence of a manager) and action taken upon requirements. The CCO will also have considered how the service responded to situations and issues as part of the RSA. This assessment resulted in this service receiving a medium RSA score and so a medium intensity inspection was required as a result. The inspection was then based upon following up the areas for development identified at the previous inspection During the inspection process Staff at inspection Mary Morris Evidence During the inspection process the Care Commission Officer spoke with: Three members of Staff Six service users The manager The Care Commission Officer reviewed a range of policies, procedures and other documentation including service user personal plans, risk assessments, safety records and incident reports. 3/6
Fire Safety Issues The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 introduced new regulatory arrangements in respect of fire safety, on 1 October 2006. In terms of those arrangements, responsibility for enforcing the statutory provisions in relation to fire safety now lies with the Fire and Rescue service for the area in which a care service is located. Accordingly, the Care Commission will no longer report on matters of fire safety as part of its regulatory function, but, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, will alert the relevant Fire and Rescue service to their existence in order that it may act as it considers appropriate. Further advice on your responsibilities is available at www.infoscotland.com/firelaw Action taken on requirements in last Inspection Report At the last inspection a requirement was made regarding staff training in adult abuse issues, this remains outstanding and has been continued. A requirement was also continued at the last inspection regarding improvements in hot water safety. Recording regarding the safety checks was found to have improved. The manager informed that thermostatic mixer valves had been ordered for the remaining sinks and were due to be fitted. A requirement has been made regarding this. Comments on Self-Evaluation The self evaluation was not completed prior to this inspection. View of Service Users Six service users were spoken with during the inspection. They were generally positive in their comments. One of them commented " the place is always clean and tidy." Another informed she "liked her room, I have it the way I like." Another commented " everything is fine here, the home made steak pie is very good." View of Carers No relatives were met with during this inspection. 4/6
Regulations / Principles National Care Standards National Care Standard Number 5: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities - Management and Staffing Arrangements Strengths A recommendation was made during the last inspection regarding the labelling of non prescribed medication. Appropriate action was found to have been taken regarding this. The manager informed that there was a copy of the inter- agency policy on the protection of vulnerable adults although this was not viewed during the inspection. Service users were observed to be relaxed and reported getting on well with the staff. Service users had enjoyed a visit to Inverurie the previous day and had enjoyed their "chipper tea." The needs of one older service user had become more complex, staff are commended for their commitment to ensure this service user' needs continue to be met within the care home. Risk assessments and personal plans had been updated. There was evidence of service user involvement in some of these. The manager informed that work had commenced on updating the information given to prospective service users to bring it up to date and include how extra services are provided. This was not viewed and will be followed up during the next inspection. A recommendation was made during the last inspection regarding the implementation of a local child protection policy. The manager informed that this was being progressed. Areas for Development A requirement was made during the last inspection regarding staff training in adult abuse issues. The manager informed that this had been flagged up with the organisation's training department. It is important that staff undertake training in this area. The requirement made at the last inspection will be continued. The staff dynamics were discussed with the manager during the telephone feedback. The manager acknowledged there were some difficulties and tensions but informed these were being addressed. The need for recording that reflected the aims of the organisation and was positive and service user focussed was discussed with the manager. The need for some training looking at values and team building was highlighted to the manager. A recommendation has been made regarding these issues. 5/6
Enforcement There has been no enforcement action against this service since the last inspection. Other Information Requirements 1.The provider must ensure that staff receive appropriate training in adult abuse issues. This is in order to comply with SS1 2002/114 Regulation 13 (c)(i) - to provide staff with training appropriate to the work they perform. Timescale for implementation: 16 weeks from the date of issuing of this report. 2. The provider should ensure that thermostatic valves are fitted on all sinks to ensure the safety of service users. This is in order to comply withss1/ 2002 114 Regulation 4 1 (a) - a requirement to ensure the health and welfare of service users. Timescale for implementation: Within 1 month from the date of issuing of this report. Recommendations 1. The Staff team undertakes training with a focus on values and the needs of service users. Team building should also be incorporated into this training. National Care Standards: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities, standard 5 Mary Morris Care Commission Officer 6/6