Dennyshill Care Home

People told us they felt safe. There was a stable staff team who had the skills and knowledge to support them safely. Staff had access to relevant training which was both on-line and face to face. For example, moving and handling training which was specific to individual people living at the service. Training was also arranged to reflect people’s changing needs, for example dementia awareness. Staff said the registered manager was ‘hands on’ and kept their own practice up to date so they could be a good role model.

Medicines were well managed including up to date records and appropriate storage arrangements for current medicines. The manager said a fridge for medicines would be purchased if people’s prescriptions required specialist storage in the future.

Risks were assessed, for example one person’s care needs had grown over time requiring more specialist equipment and increased involvement with health care professionals which had been facilitated by the service. Feedback from health and social professionals was positive and showed they had an effective working relationship with the registered manager and staff. The environment was clean, well maintained and free from hazards, with appropriate safety checks completed and equipment in good order.

The registered manager was clear about their responsibility to report safeguarding concerns. They provided us with examples of good practice, including advocating for people when admitted to hospital to ensure they had equal access to treatment. They wanted to do the best they could for the people they supported and worked alongside health professionals to meet people’s needs. They were attentive and knew the people they supported well. Care plans were personalised and well written with clear information.

People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions they had choice, control and freedom over their lives.