Bracken Tor House

The service was a four-storey house in a residential area of Okehampton. The home was in keeping with other residential properties in the local area.

People's experience of using this service: • The service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting people's choice and independence. People were encouraged to live as independently as possible. • People were encouraged to access activities they enjoyed both in the home and through inclusion in the local community. • Care records reflected the risks, needs and preferences for each person. Care plans described how staff should work with people to meet each person's individual requirements. Daily notes described how staff were following care plans. • Where people were subject to restrictions to ensure their safety, this was not always in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However, after the inspection, the registered manager provided evidence they had acted to address this. • People were supported by staff who were recruited safely and underwent an induction to ensure they understood the principles of good care. Staff were expected to update training at regular intervals. • People were supported by staff who were supervised and appraised to ensure they had opportunities to reflect on their work. • People were protected from the risks of abuse by staff who were understood how to keep vulnerable people safe. • People received their medicines from staff who had been trained to administer them safely. • Where people did not have good verbal skills, they were supported by staff who understood how to communicate with them using appropriate methods. • People were involved in choosing and preparing meals they liked and were encouraged to eat healthily. • The home was clean and well maintained. • People were encouraged to select the décor and furnishings for their bedrooms. People were also involved in decisions about the décor of communal areas. • Families and friends were welcomed into the home and encouraged to visit people at times to suit them.

• People, their relatives and staff were involved in developing and improving the service. • There was an experienced manager in post who had been registered with the Care Quality Commission for a number of years. They stayed up to date with best practice and guidance through involvement with external groups. • There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Where issues were identified, action was taken to address them.