Edendale Lodge

People received safe care from staff who knew them well and understood their risks and how best to support them. Systems were in place to keep people safe from abuse and harm. Staff were recruited safely to ensure they were suitable for their roles. Some processes and documentation were in need of improvements and these were underway by the end of our assessment.

Staff worked effectively alongside health professionals to provide the best outcomes for people. Health professionals told us how well staff worked with them, and that they were knowledgeable and professional. The provider used known tools to monitor and evidence improvement and outcomes. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible, and were asked for their approval and agreement when being offered support. Improvements are needed to records and documentation used when people are moving into the service or transferring to a different service such as a hospital for treatment.

The home had a welcoming, friendly and caring atmosphere. The staff knew people very well and were kind and cheerful with people. We saw some lovely interactions where staff were reassuring and used their knowledge of people’s interests and things they liked to distract them when upset. Staff promoted people’s independence and offered choice. People would benefit from additional dementia friendly tools to support their decision making and understanding of what choices are available, for example through pictures and images. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager and the provider, and they treated each other kindly and worked together well as a team.

People were treated as individuals and staff knew a lot about the people they support. They knew how they liked their hair and clothes, and what they preferred to do and to eat and drink. People and relatives were encouraged to share their views and relatives felt well informed by the staff and management team, particularly when there were worries or concerns. Not all people’s rooms were personalised and this could be improved, and there was not always a way for people to identify which room was theirs.

The culture of the service was positive and one where learning was part of every day practice. The registered manager was available and approachable to staff, people and families. The staff team felt valued and well supported in their roles, and able to ask anything or make suggestions for improvement of the service. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of care, however the action taken was not routinely documented.