Copperfields

Updated 19 August 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Copperfields 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 service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. This manager was in the process of deregistering at this inspection and a new manager had been recruited. They were in the process of registering with CQC and were present on both days of the inspection.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. We visited the service on 19 April and 7 May 2021 and continued to review information remotely until 12 May 2021.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and seven relatives remotely about their experience of the care provided. We observed care provision from a distance in communal areas to ensure our presence did not negatively affect people's experience. We spoke with staff including the registered manager, the new manager, the clinical nursing manager, a unit manager, two nurses, the physiotherapist and two care workers. Offsite we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We reviewed a range of records. This included several sections of care records. and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 19 August 2021

About the service

Copperfields is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 27 people aged 18 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 30 people. The property has been purpose built with wide corridors and en-suite facilities to accommodate people with complex physical and cognitive disabilities. They specialised in supporting people with behaviours that challenged others and had the benefit of access to the provider’s inhouse team of specialists.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

This service was registered shortly before the pandemic. Policies and processes had to be adapted quickly in an ever-changing environment, whilst the service was actively recruiting new staff, new management and admitting people into the service safely. There were some areas such as staff recruitment and support, and care plans which required some improvements. Some sections in care records were not always up to date or accurate to reflect people's needs. There was no impact on people as staff knew their needs well.

We recommended the provider review their governance systems to highlight inconsistencies and recording issues to ensure records are up to date and accurate and systems effective.

People were protected from abuse and were treated with respect and dignity. Staff told us staffing levels were good and were at a level where they could meet people's needs. People were supported by staff who knew them well and we observed positive interactions.

The manager and staff promoted and encouraged person centred care to ensure people were treated as individuals and staff knew how people preferred to receive their care and support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received a healthy balanced diet that met their needs. Weights were regularly monitored. People had regular access to health care professionals; changes in needs were identified and responded to appropriately.

Medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely. Staff involved in handling medicines had received recent training around medicines and had their competencies assessed.

This service was registered with us on 05/10/2019 and this is the first inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.