Care service description

The Moorings is a residential care home for up to 53 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. In the older part of the home, there are some bedrooms on the first floor with a new, large lift for people to access both floors. The remainder of the service is purpose built with single storey, level access throughout. At the time of this inspection, there were 43 people living in the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good:

Staff continued to help keep people safe from the risk of harm or abuse. The management team assessed risks to people's safety and staff followed guidance for minimising these. There were enough staff to support people safely. Recruitment processes contributed to protecting people from the employment of staff who were unsuitable to work in care. Staff supported people safely with their medicines.

Staff supported people competently and effectively. Staff supported people to have choice and control of their lives and in the least restrictive way possible. People had a choice of enough food and drink to keep them well, and staff support in this area if they needed help. Staff monitored people's health and wellbeing and sought professional medical advice promptly when people needed this.

Staff had developed warm and compassionate relationships with people and supported them in a caring manner. Staff respected people's choices and privacy and encouraged people to maintain their independence.

Staff were aware of people's preferences, what was important to them, their hobbies or interests and supported people to maintain these. People were able to keep in touch with their friends and family. People were confident that, if they needed to, they could make a complaint about their care and have their concerns investigated and addressed.

There was stable and consistent leadership within the home, contributing to good staff morale and teamwork. People's views were taken into account in the way the service was operating and there were regular checks to see what improvements could be made to ensure a good quality service.

Further information is in the detailed findings for this report.

This inspection took place on 23 June and was unannounced.

The Moorings provides support and care for up to 39 older people who may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 27 people living there. This was because the provider had reduced the numbers of people accommodated so that building work could take place in a way that minimised the impact for people using the service.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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 knew the importance of recognising, responding to and reporting any indications which might indicate a person had been abused or harmed in some way. Staff were properly recruited to ensure that they were safe to work in care and there were enough of them to meet people’s needs properly. Where staff took responsibility for storing and administering medicines to people, they did this safely.

Staff were competent and had a good understanding of people’s preferences and wishes. They ensured they sought advice promptly on behalf of people who became unwell. Staff understood the importance of supporting people to have enough to eat and drink. They also understood the importance of offering people choice and how to support those who may find it difficult to make informed decisions about their care.

Staff ensured that people’s privacy and dignity was respected. Staff responded with warmth and kindness to people’s requests for assistance. People were consulted about their care, with support from their family if it was necessary. They were supported and encouraged to follow their interests and activities and there was a sociable and cheerful atmosphere within the home.

People, with support from their relatives where it was needed, could raise complaints or concerns about the quality of care they received and have these addressed. People were also enabled to express their views about the way staff supported them and were satisfied with the care they received.

The service had good and consistent leadership. The provider and manager took responsibility for monitoring the quality and safety of the service. They encouraged people or their relatives to express their views so that improvements were identified and made where possible. Staff were clear about their roles and well-motivated.