Keychange Charity Rosemary Mount Care Home

“People felt safe living at the home. One person said, “It’s a good care home. I don’t think it’s a safe world, but it’s safe here.” The provider was proactive when incidents or accidents occurred. Events were recorded on the provider’s system and shared with managers of the provider’s other homes, to enable learning and prevent similar incidents from occurring. People’s risk of unsafe care and support were managed well, with clear guidance set out in care plans that staff followed in practice. The home provided a safe environment with access to the garden, accessible bathrooms and a lift between floors. Staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people’s care and support needs were met promptly; staff were recruited safely.”

“People’s care and support needs were assessed before they came to live at the home. Their preferences and wishes were catered for. Relatives provided information about their loved ones too. One relative said, “We looked at a few homes. She was in another home for a while, but there was lots of trouble. Mum liked this home, so we picked it. [Registered manager and deputy manager] went to the previous home to do an assessment. Then Mum came to a fun day in the garden here, had lunch, she could meet people, and she liked it, so she moved in.””

“People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the provider was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the home. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions; they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. One person told us, “Oh yes, I like it here. I don’t mix very well, but I can shut my bedroom door anytime. I would rather stay in my room.” Some people used wheelchairs to aid their mobility. A staff member told us, “Some people don’t consent to having lap belts, so we don’t always use them; that’s people’s choice. They are aware of the risks.””

“We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.The service was supporting some people with a learning disability and ensured they had good access to the community and local activities. Staff completed a range…”