St James House

St James House is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to six people. This report details the findings of an inspection conducted in May 2022, which assessed various aspects of the service's quality and safety. The inspection was prompted in part by concerns regarding risk management and infection control. While some positive practices were noted, the overall findings indicate that improvements are needed across all key areas.

Regarding safety, some risks to residents were not always managed effectively, including fire safety concerns related to combustible materials and a lack of night-time fire drills. While staff generally understood how to protect residents from abuse and recruitment processes were robust, there were lapses in recording essential safety checks for some individuals.

In terms of how effective the care is, the inspection found inconsistencies in achieving good outcomes. For one resident with a specific health condition, fluid intake was not adequately monitored, and another resident's dietary guidelines were misrepresented, posing health risks. In addition, the premises were not consistently clean or well-maintained, with some areas requiring decoration and repairs, and cleaning rotas not always being completed.

The caring aspect of the service also requires improvement. While staff generally knew residents well, there were instances where dignity was not fully upheld. This included issues with bedding for one resident and a lack of consistent involvement of residents in house meetings or easy access to their own care plans.

In relation to how responsive the service is, the inspection identified that the model of care and the physical setting did not always fully maximise people's choice, control, and independence. Care plans did not always reflect residents' interests or longer-term aspirations, and some choices were at times restricted, indicating that the service's approach did not always align with best practice guidance.

Finally, the service was not always well-led. Governance systems were not consistently effective in identifying and rectifying issues, and there were instances where the culture of the service was not positive, such as a resident being moved at short notice without proper consultation. While a new manager was in the process of registering, improvements in leadership and oversight are necessary.