Skelton Court

This assessment was unannounced and was carried out by 3 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Prior to the assessment we reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from health and social care professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the assessment we spoke with 13 people who used the service and 5 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with staff including the regional manager, registered manager, deputy managers, senior care workers, care workers, housekeeping and catering staff. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We reviewed a range of records. This included people’s care and medicine records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and were aware of their responsibility to report any concerns. Staff told us they felt able to raise any concerns they had and were confident these would be acted upon. Risks to people's personal safety had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise these risks.

Systems were in place for the safe storage, administration and disposal of medicines. Records showed people received their medicines as prescribed and in their preferred manner. The service worked with other health and social care professionals to ensure people access to healthcare services to maintain good health.

Appropriate systems were in place to protect people from the spread of infection. During the assessment we observed the home to be clean, tidy and odour free.

People, their relatives and staff spoke positively about how the service was managed. There was a positive culture within the service. Staff felt supported by the management team and were able to raise any issues or concerns they may have. Staff had received the necessary training to support them in their role. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of service being delivered. Plans were in place to ensure improvements to the service were identified and appropriate actions taken. Information regarding safeguarding, accidents and incidents were reviewed to ensure were required lessons were learned. People and their relatives were encouraged to provide feedback on the service and complaints were dealt with in line with the provider's policy.