Background to this inspection
Updated
17 October 2020
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about the support people received and allegations of abuse.
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.
Service and service type
Care Management Group - Trafalgar House 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.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short notice period of the inspection. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to be sure that no-one at the home was displaying any symptoms of the virus and needed to know about the provider’s infection control procedures.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we needed to limit the time we spent at the home. This was to reduce the risk of transmitting any infection. Therefore, we had a discussion with the registered manager before our visit to the home and discussed how we would safely manage the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. We looked at the notifications we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
We asked the provider to send some records for us to review. This included, a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including infection control policy, training records and staffing rotas.
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 all the people who used the service about what it was like to live at the home. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager and regional manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care 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 incident reports were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We contacted all staff and received feedback from seven of them about what it was like to work at the home. We spoke with the relatives of three people. We contacted six professional’s and received feedback from three of them.
Updated
17 October 2020
The inspection took place on the 19 February 2018.
Trafalgar House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Care and support is provided for up to eight people with a learning disability. At the time of our inspection, there were seven people living at the service. The service provides care and support to people living with a range of learning disabilities and mental health diagnosis and a variety of longer term healthcare needs such as epilepsy and diabetes. The service is a large house within a residential area in Bexhill-on-Sea. The accommodation comprises two large lounges and a dining room with access to a rear garden. People have their own spacious bedroom.
At the last comprehensive inspection on 13 and 14 January 2016 the service was rated overall Good. At this inspection we found the service remained overall Good. At the last inspection, we found a breach in the regulations and the safe domain which was rated as Requires Improvement. The provider provided an action plan as to how the issue raised would be addressed. We undertook a focused inspection on 14 March 2017 to review the improvements made, and found the issue highlighted had been addressed.
Systems had been maintained to keep people safe. People and relatives told us how they felt safe with the care provided. They knew who they could talk with if they had any worries. A relative told us, “They make sure he is safe in every aspect.” They felt they could raise concerns and they would be listened to. People remained protected from the risk of abuse because staff understood how to identify and report it. Assessments of risks to people had continued to be developed. Staff told us they had been supported to develop their skills and knowledge by receiving training which helped them to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. One member of staff told us, “It’s a lovely company. I love it here.”
People's individual care and support needs continued to be identified before they received a service. Care and support provided was personalised and based on the identified needs of each person. Comprehensive and detailed care plans provided staff with information about how people wished to be cared for in a person-centred way. People met with their keyworkers monthly to discuss the care to be provided. People told us how they felt listened to, supported to be independent and they were involved in decisions about their care. Staff had a good understanding of consent.
People and their relatives told us they were happy with the care provided. A relative told us, “It’s been brilliant. (Person’s name) has improved in the time he has been here.” People continued to be supported by kind and caring staff who knew them well and treated them with respect and dignity. They were spoken with and supported in a sensitive, respectful and professional manner. Staff told us it was a good team. One member of staff told us, “It’s a good team. We all get on. We all know what we are doing.”
The provider continued to have arrangements in place for the safe administration of medicines. People were supported to get their medicine safely when they needed it. People continued to be supported to maintain good health and eat a healthy diet.
Staff and visiting health and social care professionals told us the service continued to be well led. Staff told us the registered manager was always approachable and had an open door policy if they required some advice or needed to discuss something. Senior staff carried out a range of internal audits, and records confirmed this. People and their relatives were regularly consulted about the care provided.