College of St Barnabas

The College also provides accommodation for eight couples and 20 single people in 'The Cloisters' flats. This accommodation is not registered with CQC. The College is registered to provide personal care to people living in The Cloisters, although this was not being provided at the time of our inspection.

People's experience of using this service: People received their care from consistent staff who knew their needs and preferences well. Staff were kind and treated people with respect. People and their relatives were involved in planning their care. Staff encouraged people to make choices and respected their decisions.

Some people's care records were not accurate or up-to-date. This had not adversely impacted people's care as staff knew their needs and provided the support they required. However, there was a risk that people could receive inappropriate care as their care plans did not always accurately reflect their needs. We have made a recommendation about this.

The management team communicated effectively with people, relatives and professionals. People and their families and staff were able to give their views about the service and these were listened to and acted upon.

There were enough staff deployed on each shift to meet people's needs. Staff received appropriate training for their roles and received good support from the management team. Staff understood their role in safeguarding people and knew how to recognise and respond to abuse.

Risks were assessed and managed effectively. Medicines were managed safely. Staff maintained appropriate standards of hygiene and infection control. The provider operated robust recruitment procedures which helped ensure that only suitable staff were employed.

People were supported to maintain good health and to obtain medical treatment when they needed it. Staff worked well with other professionals involved in people's care and followed any guidance put in place by professionals.

People had access to a wide range of activities, events and outings. Relatives were made welcome when they visited and were encouraged to be involved in the life of the home. People's religious and spiritual needs were met. People generally enjoyed the food at the home and had opportunities to give their views about the menu.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk