This unannounced inspection of Bellefield Residential Home took place on 8 May 2017.

Situated within a quiet residential area of West Derby in Liverpool, Bellefield Residential Home is a purpose built 30 bedded care home offering dementia, residential, respite and end of life care.

At the last inspection in October 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. We found during this inspection that the service remained ‘Good.’

The registered manager was still officially in post at time of our inspection. However, they were in process of moving to another service, another manager had been appointed, and was available on the day of our inspection. The manager had systems and processes in place to ensure that staff who worked at the service were recruited safely. Staff were able to describe the course of action they would take if they felt anyone was at risk of harm or abuse which included ‘whistleblowing’ to external organisations. Rotas showed there were an adequate number of staff employed by the service to ensure people’s needs were met. Risks were well assessed and information was updated as and when required. People were supported to manage their medication by senior staff who were trained to do so.

All newly appointed staff were enrolled on the Care Certificate. Staff we spoke with confirmed they had been supervised regularly and had completed an annual appraisal. The training matrix showed that all staff had completed all mandatory training in accordance with the providers training policy, including areas of specialism, such as dementia and end of life care.

The service was working in accordance with the MCA and associated principles. We saw that where people could consent to decisions regarding there care and support this had been well documented, and were people lacked capacity, the appropriate best interest processes had been followed.

People and visitors we spoke with were complimentary about the staff and the home in general. People told us they liked the people who supported them. Staff were able to give us examples of how they preserved dignity and privacy when providing personal care.

Care plans contained information about people’s likes, dislikes, preferences and personalities. Staff we spoke with demonstrated that they knew the people they supported well, and they enjoyed working at the home.

Complaints were well managed and documented in accordance with the provider’s complaints policy. The complaints policy contained contact details for the local authorities and commissioning groups.

Quality assurance systems were effective and measured service provision. Regular audits were taking place for different aspects of service delivery. Regular action plans were drawn up when areas of improvement were identified. Staff meetings took place, however resident meetings were not as regular.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This was an unannounced inspection.

Bellefield is a residential care home that provides accommodation, care and support for up to 30 adults. At the time of this inspection there were 29 people using the service. The service is housed in a purpose built building, with lift access to the first floor. The service is situated in the West Derby area of Liverpool close to shops, pubs and other places of local interest.

We found that there were sufficient staff members on duty to meet people’s personal care needs and keep people safe.

People living at Bellefield Residential were receiving good care and support that was tailored to meet their individual needs. Staff ensured they were kept safe from abuse and avoidable harm.

We found staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People had access to the local community and were supported to go out and pursue their individual interests such as going out for meals, going on day trips to places of interest, or out shopping.

People had access to health care when they needed it, including their GP, dentist, optician and chiropodist. A visiting health professional told us hat staff acted promptly to peoples changing health care needs.

The culture within the service was person centred and open. From listening to people’s views we established that the leadership within the service was consistent and the registered manager was readily accessible for staff, people using the service and their families.

We found the registered manager took steps to ensure the service learnt from mistakes, incidents and complaints.

During our visit to Bellefield Residential Care Home, we found that before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. We also observed information from the daily record sheets that were completed when a person using services received care that confirmed they were involved in making care decisions. Care plans and risk assessments we observed were clear and up to date and contained relevant information related to the needs and support required by each person which ensured appropriate care was delivered at all times.

All medication was safely stored in a locked cabinet in a locked store room. We observed a senior member of staff administering medication in a safe and respectful manner which ensured the person using services received their prescribed medication. All staff members had provided an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and two references which ensured the safety of all people using services. Staff members had the relevant skills and qualifications to undertake their work with vulnerable adults. Although a comprehensive and appropriate complaints procedure was observed at the care home, it was not displayed in any prominent places which may have been of benefit to those people using services, including staff members. However, we were assured by the provider that the required approach would be reviewed and implemented immediately.

During our visit we spoke individually with nine of the people living at Bellefield, seven members of staff and five visitors. We also spent time observing the general support provided to people and read records.

The people living at Bellefield told us that they got the support they needed from staff. Comments we received included, (staff are) “Good to me, efficient and kind” and “They’re very good, know what they are doing”. The majority of people told us that staff had always been polite although one person commented staff “sometimes don’t have time”. People told us that staff had discussed their care with them and that they had been able to make decisions for themselves.

In discussions people told us that they felt safe living at Bellefield and knew how to raise any concerns or complaints that they had.

People told us they liked their bedrooms but there were insufficient chairs available in the main lounge for everybody who wanted to sit in there. This was reiterated by two visitors we spoke with.