Oakley House Ltd

Oakley House is a care home offering personal care for up to 11 individuals with mental health diagnoses and learning disabilities. This inspection report examines key aspects of the service to ensure it meets high standards. The inspection focused on how safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led the service is, with the aim of providing families with a clear picture of the care environment.

On safety, while residents generally feel safe and staff are trained to protect them from abuse and neglect, there are areas needing attention. Improvements are required regarding guidance for staff on administering certain medications and ensuring proper procedures are followed for visitors to prevent the spread of infection. Staffing levels overnight were also raised as a concern by staff members who felt they were insufficient for the number of residents.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents report good outcomes and a good quality of life. Staff receive appropriate induction and training, and they are supported to manage residents' healthcare needs, arranging appointments and acting on professional advice. Residents enjoy the meals provided, and staff are attentive to nutritional needs, offering alternatives when necessary.

Regarding caring practices, residents express feeling well-cared for and respected by staff. The report highlights that staff consistently asked for consent before providing care and were aware of principles around the Mental Capacity Act. The environment is described as accommodating, with adapted bathrooms and personalized rooms, aiding residents' independence.

In response to residents' needs, the service ensures access to healthcare professionals when required, with staff actively liaising with mental health teams. Care plans are reviewed and updated following hospital discharges, and there's a clear handover process between shifts to ensure continuity of care. Residents are involved in their care plan reviews, and assessments prior to admission help ensure the service is suitable for their needs.

Concerning how well-led the service is, while some audits have identified minor improvements, there are areas where leadership needs to be more robust. The report notes a lack of clarity regarding COVID-19 guidance for visitors and inconsistencies in medication record-keeping, particularly for "as required" medicines. Furthermore, the service could do more to actively empower residents to undertake more daily living tasks, rather than staff undertaking all care.