Springfield House

Springfield House provides personal care for up to 10 individuals with learning disabilities. This inspection report highlights a mixed picture of the service's performance, with some areas meeting expectations well and others requiring focused attention. Residents and their families generally expressed satisfaction with the support received, noting a kind and caring environment where individuals are encouraged towards independence and involved in their care decisions. The home itself is described as clean, personalized, and homely, contributing to a positive living experience. However, the report identifies areas where improvements are needed to ensure the highest standards of care and safety are consistently met.

On safety, while residents feel safe and staff are knowledgeable about abuse, there were significant concerns regarding medication management, including a lack of trained staff on duty for administering emergency medicines. Inconsistent completion of essential health monitoring charts, such as those for constipation, and overdue environmental safety checks, including fire safety, were also noted. There was also a failure to promptly escalate concerns about unexplained bruising.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs are assessed and reviewed in line with guidance, and they receive support from healthcare professionals to maintain their health. The service is well-adapted to residents' needs, with personalised bedrooms and communal spaces that promote independence and social interaction. Staff understand their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring decisions are made in residents' best interests.

Regarding how caring the service is, residents are treated with dignity and respect, and staff are consistently described as kind and compassionate. People are actively involved in their care planning and are supported to make choices about their daily lives, from what they wear to how they spend their time. The staff build strong relationships with residents, knowing them well and providing support in a way that promotes their well-being and independence.

In terms of responsiveness, relatives feel well-informed about their loved ones' care, and there have been no recent complaints. The service ensures residents have access to necessary healthcare professionals and that their needs are reviewed regularly. Efforts are made to support residents in having maximum choice and control over their lives, with staff generally acting in their best interests.

Concerning how well-led the service is, the report identifies a lack of robust systems to ensure actions are taken when the registered manager is absent, and a failure to identify shortcomings through governance systems. Inconsistent staffing levels, with fewer staff on duty than assessed as necessary, impacted the ability for residents to participate in desired activities. There were also issues with expired or incomplete staff training in various areas, including fire safety and medication competency.