Archived: Crowhurst Care Home

Updated 21 August 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 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 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 10 and 12 July 2018 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection visit because it is a small service and the manager is often supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in and that our visit would not disrupt the lives of people more than necessary.

Before the inspection, we checked the information we held about the service and provider. This included previous inspection reports and any statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager. A notification is information about important events, which the service is required to send to us by law. We also reviewed the Provider Information report. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make.

Two inspectors completed the inspection. Due to the nature of people's complex needs, some people were not able to tell us about their experiences, so we also observed the care and support that people received. We observed and spoke with five people who use the service about their day-to-day experiences. We spoke with three staff and the registered manager. We spent time reviewing records, which included three care plans, two staff files, medication administration records, staff rotas and training records. Other documentation that related to the management of the service such as policies and procedures, complaints, compliments, accidents and incidents were viewed. We also 'pathway tracked' the care for people living at the service. This is where we check that the care detailed in individual plans matches the experience of the person receiving care.

Following the inspection, we spoke with two relatives and two professionals about their experiences for people living at Crowhurst care home.

Updated 21 August 2018

Crowhurst Care Home is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Crowhurst Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to nine people who have learning disabilities and some associated physical and/or sensory disabilities. There were five people using the service at the time of inspection. The building was situated over two floors, with people's bedrooms located on both. Some people had their own bathrooms attached to their bedrooms and there were communal facilities for those that did not. There was a kitchen, dining-room, large lounge and day room for people to relax in. People also had access to a large garden area at the back of the property and another at the front, with benches, a fountain and a variety of colourful flowers.

At our last inspection in February 2017, the service was rated 'Requires Improvement' with two breaches to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. During this inspection, we found significant improvements had been made and the provider is now meeting the regulations.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe. Staff had a good understanding of how to recognise potential signs of abuse and knowledge of risks specific to people. There were risk assessments for people and for the building, with relevant safety checks completed by the registered manager each month. Staff were recruited safely and there were suitable numbers so people’s needs were consistently met. People received their medicines safely from staff that were trained to do so. Incidents were investigated within relevant timescales and appropriate actions taken to ensure they did not happen again.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practise.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to support people and meet all their needs. They spoke highly of their induction and the support given in getting to know people, their routines and preferences. Further support was provided in supervisions, appraisals and team meetings.

People's nutritional needs were met and they were encouraged to be as independent as possible with preparing food. Any risks associated with eating were highlighted in people’s care plans and appropriate support given during mealtimes. Records showed that the provider sought guidance from health professionals where additional support needs were identified. Professionals we spoke with felt that staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and were responsive to any feedback given.

People, their relatives and professionals all felt that people were supported by a kind and caring staff team. People's dignity, independence and privacy was promoted and encouraged. Staff knew people, their preferences and support needs well.

Care plans were tailored to individual's and highlighted areas where additional support was required. Staff were knowledgeable of people’s communication support needs and used a variety of tools to support them with this. People and their relatives knew about the complaints procedure and felt confident raising concerns. People had choice and control over the activities they wanted to participate in each day. These were tailor-made to people's likes and dislikes.

Since their previous inspection, the registered manager had made improvements to the quality and quantity of audits. People, staff, relatives and professionals spoke positively about the management team. They felt that the service was well-led and that an open, transparent and supportive culture was promoted.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.