The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Darwin House Limited

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Darwin Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 5RG (0114) 230 1414

Provided and run by:
Darwin House Limited

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Assessment date 18 May to 2 June 2026. Darwin house is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 22 older people. At the time of our inspection, 20 people were living at the service.

There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Darwin House, where people appeared well cared for and comfortable. A strong, positive culture was evident throughout the service, centred on delivering personalised, person-focused care. Staff consistently treated people with kindness, dignity, and respect, demonstrating a thorough understanding of each individual living at Darwin House.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. The home was clean, and people were protected from the risk and spread of infections. There were enough staff available to assist people to meet their needs in a timely way.

People's needs were assessed, and care delivered in line with best practice. Care plans and supporting documentation included people's individual choices and preferences. Risks in relation to people's care were identified and detailed information about how risks could be mitigated.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed to identify any trends or patterns. This helped to mitigate future risks and ensured lessons were learned.

The provider had a safe recruitment process which assisted them in recruiting suitable staff.

A training plan evidenced staff had received appropriate training to carry out their roles effectively. Competency assessments were also in place for things such as medicine administration.

People were supported to maintain a healthy and balanced diet which included their preferences. 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.

Throughout the inspection we observed staff interacting with people in a caring and considerate way. We saw staff gaining people's consent prior to carrying out care tasks. People we spoke with were complimentary about the care and support they received.

The management team carried out regular audits to ensure the quality of the service was maintained. The management team took appropriate actions to address any issues. People and their relatives had confidence in the management team and felt they were approachable.

 

 

 

4 February 2020

During a routine inspection

About the service

Darwin house is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 28 older people. The facilities are over three floors. At the time of our inspection, 19 people were living at Darwin House.

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

People were supported in a safe environment by staff who were suitably skilled and competent to meet their needs.

Staff were aware of how to safeguard people from abuse and had good knowledge on how to recognise and respond to concerns. There were no open complaint and the provider had a complaint policy and procedure in place.

Care plans were reflective of people’s needs. An electronic care planning system was being implemented to support the improvement and development of care planning and record keeping. Care plans reflected people’s diverse needs.

Medicines continued to be administered as prescribed. Risks were monitored and evaluated and the home was very well maintained.

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 unanimously gave positive feedback on the service. The dining experience was delivered to a very high standard and people and relatives were complimentary about the choice and presentation of the food served.

The service worked in partnership with various health and social care professionals to ensure holistic care was provided.

There were robust systems and processes in place to ensure the service was well delivered and continually improved. People, staff and relatives were involved in giving feedback into how the service was run and developed. There was a dedicated staff team who were committed to ensuring people received person centred care. They were passionate about the work they carried out and the outcomes for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 21 July 2015). There was also an inspection on (24 November 2017). However, the report following that inspection was withdrawn as there was an issue with some of the information that we gathered.

Why we inspected

This is a planned re-inspection because of the issue highlighted above.

Follow up

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

28 April 2015

During a routine inspection

The inspection took place on 28 April 2015 and was unannounced which meant we did not inform anyone beforehand that we would be inspecting. We last inspected this service in October 2013 and found that the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations we inspected at that time.

Darwin house is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 25 older people. The facilities are over three floors and accessed by a lift. 15 of the rooms are designed for single occupancy, with five larger bedrooms being able to accommodate couples. A variety of communal lounge space, as well as a communal library room and dining room are provided. At the time of our inspection, 20 people were living at Darwin House.

There was a registered manager employed at the service. 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 who used the service, their relatives, and professionals involved with the service all gave positive feedback about Darwin House. We witnessed positive and caring interactions between staff and people. People were treated with respect and dignity. Staff demonstrated familiarity with people’s preferences and wishes. Activities were available to provide and encourage stimulation for people.

Systems and processes were in place for checking medicines to ensure that they were administered safely. Checks of medicines took place at each handover as well as monthly by the registered manager. Staff undertook annual training and regular observations to assess their competency to administer medicines.

We saw that some decisions had not been made in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In particular where people were administered medicines covertly, the principles of the Act had not been followed. Consideration needed to be given as to whether any people at the service required a deprivation of liberty safeguard authorisation to be in place where they may lack capacity to consent to their accommodation.

Individual risk assessments were in place in order to minimise and manage risks to people. Staff received training in safeguarding and knew how to identify and report abuse and unsafe practice. Incidents were assessed and monitored by the registered manager to try to prevent and reduce potential reoccurrence.

Recruitment processes ensured new staff were assessed as suitable to work at the service. New staff members completed an induction on commencement of employment at the service. Staff received regular supervisions and appraisals and told us they felt supported by the management team in their roles. Training was monitored to ensure staff had relevant skills and knowledge to support people they cared for.

Peoples’ nutritional needs were accommodated and people were supported to access healthcare professionals and maintain good health. Comments from people, relatives and observations showed that staff were kind, caring and patient in their interactions with people. Staff offered choice and explanations to people whilst providing support. Care records contained information about people’s backgrounds so that staff had knowledge about people with which to form positive relationships. People were treated with dignity and respect and encouraged to maintain their independence when they were able to.

People’s care plans were reviewed regularly and we saw evidence of involvement of people and relatives within these. Staff demonstrated knowledge of people’s personalised care requirements. People told us about, and we saw, activities which took place during our inspection including trips out of the home.

Feedback was sought by the registered manager by way of relatives and residents meetings. There was a complaints procedure in place and we saw that complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately. People spoke positively about the registered manager and the staff team. Quality assurance systems were in place which identified areas for improvement. Incidents were routinely monitored and analysed for trends and themes to prevent potential re-occurrence.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

14 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We visited the service on 14 October 2013 as part of our scheduled inspection programme. We spoke with five people who used the service, one relative of a person who used the service, five staff and the registered manager.

We found that people were asked for their consent to care and treatment and the staff acted in accordance with their wishes.

People who used the service told us they were happy living at the home. Their comments included, 'I think it's very nice. Everyone is caring and helpful,' 'I feel very much at home here and I couldn't ask for anything better" and 'This place is outstanding."

We found that care and support was offered appropriately to people and that staff were skilled, in recognising the diversity, values and human rights of people who used the service.

During our inspection we conducted a tour of the premises and found it was clean, tidy and free of any unpleasant odours. There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection.

The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and staff were appropriately qualified to do their job.

People who used the service told us their comments and complaints were listened to and acted upon.

19 November 2012

During a routine inspection

People who we were able to communicate with told us that they were happy living at the home and that they were satisfied with the care they received. People said, "we get a lot of care and attention," "It's a wonderful home," and "I am very settled here."

Throughout our inspection we noted that staff spoke with people in a kind and respectful way and had a clear knowledge of people's individual likes and preferences. People told us, "the staff know just how I like things," and "this is a small friendly home and the staff know us very well."

People told us that they felt safe living in the home and if they had concerns they would speak with a family member or a member of the staff team.

Staff spoken with were positive about the fact that they were given opportunities for further training and personal development.

The provider and registered manager had an appropriate system in place for gathering, recording and evaluating information about the quality and safety of care the service provided. People who used the service and their representatives were asked for their views about their care and treatment.

Sheffield Local Authority, Contracting and Commissioning team had visited the home and carried out a 'Care Home Quality Framework' audit. We saw a copy of their report. There were a number of actions to complete by January 2013. The manager confirmed to us that all the actions in the audit would be fully completed by this date.

7 March 2011

During a routine inspection

People that were able told us that overall they were happy living at the home and satisfied with the care and support they were receiving. Their comments included:

'I am very happy here'.

'It's a nice home'.

'I would change nothing, I'm very happy'.

'There's never any trouble here and a high standard is always maintained'.

One person explained that her daughter had chosen the home for her and that her daughter was happy with her mothers care.

In the entrance hall there was a comments book, where people visiting could record their view of the home. Relatives, friends and professionals had written comments, all were positive. Comments included:

'I am very impressed by everything I have seen and heard here. Excellent'.

'What a beautiful place, so well kept, friendly staff and a lovely environment'.

'I came to see a resident during the night and found the staff, very helpful. The ambience is fantastic, and people appear very happy'.

'Absolutely lovely place, grandma's really happy and satisfied. Thank you'.

'Couldn't be in a better place. Everyone is kind and loving and the food is excellent'.