The Glade Residential Care Home

The Glade is a 'care home'. People in 'care homes' receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

The Glade is a residential care service which offers support for up to 25 older adults. It is a converted Edwardian residential property set over four floors. A passenger lift provides access to all areas of the building. Accommodation comprises of bedrooms which have a wash basin facility and a small proportion of bedrooms have an en-suite. There is a dining area situated on the ground floor and a spacious lounge which overlooks a large enclosed garden. The property is both decorated and furnished to a high standard. The service is conveniently situated near to bus routes and local amenities. At the time our inspection there were 19 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

Staff had received training in safeguarding and were knowledgeable in both how to identify and how to report abuse. We found that staff's suitability to work with vulnerable adults at the service had been checked prior to employment. For instance, previous employer references had been sought and a criminal conviction check undertaken. People told us staff were caring and kind.

Staff had received training which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to ensure people received adequate support. The majority of staff had completed National Vocation Qualifications (NVQs). NVQs are nationally recognised qualifications achieved through training and assessment which help to ensure that staff are competent to carry out their job role to the required standard.

Medication was managed safely and was administered by staff who were competent to do so.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for checking the environment was safe. For example, health and safety checks and audits were completed on a regular basis and accidents and incidents were reported and recorded appropriately. People told us they felt safe living at The Glade.

Staff sought consent from people before providing support. Staff we spoke with understood the principles of

the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure people consented to the care they received. The MCA is legislation which protects the rights of people to make their own decisions.

People were involved in their care and there was evidence in their care records to show that they had been consulted about decisions. Care records contained detailed information to identify people's requirements, preferences and routines in relation to their care and support.

Appropriate risk assessments were carried out and recorded which helped to keep people safe. People were referred to external health professionals appropriately, this helped to promote people's well-being. People told us they were supported by staff to attend health appointments.

There was no set daily routine at the service and people told us they had a choice in what activities they participated in each day. The service had its own mini bus and people enjoyed weekly trips out.

Effective quality assurance processes were in place to seek the views of people using the service and their relatives.

Feedback about the management of the service was positive. People told us the service was well run and that management were approachable and supportive.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found