Creelha Care Home Service 13 St. Clair Avenue Edinburgh EH6 8JS Inspected by: (Care Commission Officer) Type of inspection: Andrea Herkes Announced Inspection completed on: 8 September 2005 1/7
Service Number Service name CS2003011195 Creelha Service address 13 St. Clair Avenue Edinburgh EH6 8JS Provider Number Provider Name SP2003002642 L'Arche Inspected By Inspection Type Andrea Herkes Care Commission Officer Announced Inspection Completed Period since last inspection 8 September 2005 6 months Local Office Address Musselburgh 2/7
Introduction Creelha is a care home registered for four adults with learning disabilities. The property is a spacious purpose built end terrace house owned by a Housing Association and leased to L'Arche Edinburgh. Accommodation for residents' use is provided on the ground and first floor levels. The first floor can be accesed by stairs. The public rooms are on the ground floor. There is statement of the operational policy of L Arche Edinburgh to which this home subscribes. This operational policy includes the philosophy of L Arche and gives information relating to community living, life in the home and staffing. Basis of Report The inspection of the home was an announced visit carried out on 8 September with a later visit to L Arche Head office on 13 September 2005. The inspection report is informed by consultation with the Community Director the house leader general discussion with staff on duty and one resident. However, communication was limited to interpretation of sign language, facial expression and gestures in response to general conversation. The inspection focussed on Standards 1,5,6,7 and 18 of the National Care Standards for Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities and takes account of the Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services) Regulations 2002. Statutory Instrument 114. Selected records and documentation systems used in the home were examined including fire safety checks, accident and incident records, care plans, policy and procedures and the health and safety manual. Pre inspection information and a self evaluation of the services provided by the care home were also used as a basis for the report. Action taken on requirements in last Inspection Report There are no requirements to follow up Comments on Self-Evaluation The self evaluation information noted the main evidence to support meeting the relevant standard and any development needs. View of Service Users The resident met was unable to give a comprehensive view of living in this home but did confirm that he was well looked after. View of Carers No relatives were met during this inspection. 3/7
Regulations / Principles National Care Standards National Care Standard Number 1: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities -Informing and Deciding Written information was available giving information about the work of L Arche communities the application form and occupancy agreement. As the home offered a long term placement to the present resident group all relevant information about the service was held at Head Office. An introductory information pack as detailed in the National Care Standards- Care Homes for People Learning Disability - Standard 1 Informing and Deciding should be compiled and available in the home. The Community Director has identified the need for the written information to be more accessible to service users possible through the use of pictures and signs. National Care Standard Number 5: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities - Management and Staffing Arrangements Policy and procedure information was available relating to health and safety and environment health. New policies were introduced the use of memos and house meetings. Induction training was undertaken by all new staff thereafter regular training events are held in accordance with the needs of the resident group and local work of the organisation. A sample of staff training noted that training was undertaken through external and in-house events. Procedures were in place to ensure that appropriate staff were employed in the home. Staff personnel records were retained at Head Office. Appropriate document systems were in place to record accidents, incidents and complaints. Some of this documentation was recently updated. Full policy and procedure information should be available in the home for reference. The Community Director had identified the need to continue reviewing the content and delivery of the induction programme and to develop the staff training programme. 4/7
The Community Director had identified the need to continue reviewing the content and delivery of the induction programme and to develop the staff training programme. National Care Standard Number 6: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities - Support Arrangements Each resident had a personal care plan file. These files contained details about assessed needs including health care and medication updated through care plan reviews. Where indicated any assessed needs in the management of challenging behaviour were also assessed, recorded, reviewed and updated through care planning. The sample of files examined contained review information and all had been updated within 6 months. Residents participate in planning and attending reviews with the support of a key worker (reference person) and details in care plan files recorded relevant people to participate in or contribute to individual reviews. The Community Director had indicated that a new format for personal plans was to be introduced. In introducing a new care plan format, consideration should be given to reviewing the format to ensure that the individual support arrangements and information is recorded in compliance with Standard 6. National Care Standard Number 7: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities - Moving In This home offered long term placement to residents. Before a permanent place was confirmed prospective residents were offered visits, short and overnight stays supported by a named key worker. A key worker (reference) system was used and each resident had a named key worker who took the lead role in assisting the individual to prepare for care plan reviews. The Community Director indicated that the referral and moving in process is due to be reviewed. 5/7
National Care Standard Number 18: Care Homes for People with Learning Disabilities - Supporting Communication Where required specific communication needs and speech and language support were recorded, reviewed and updated through individual care plans. Observation of practice confirmed that staff used methods of communication in accordance with the individual needs of residents. Pictures, signs and drawings were used to enhance communication with residents and to assist in preparing for reviews, household events, individual and group interests and activities. The Community Director had identified that further work is necessary on review preparation and communication training for staff. The circumstances under which relatives wish to be contacted should be recorded in care plan files. 6/7
Enforcement There has been no enforcement action. Other Information The last Fire Brigade inspection of the home in May 2005 and concluded that the fire safety precautions were satisfactory at that time. The fire safety records in the home were examined and found to be up to date. Requirements Recommendations An introductory information pack as detailed in the National Care Standards- Care Homes for People Learning Disability - Standard 1 Informing and Deciding should be compiled and available in the home. Full policy and procedure information should be available in the home for reference. In introducing a new care plan format, consideration should be given to reviewing the format to ensure that the individual support arrangements and information is recorded in compliance with Standard 6. Andrea Herkes Care Commission Officer 7/7