Seabank House

Updated 3 February 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 11 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 3 February 2022

About the service

Seabank House is residential care home providing personal care to eight people at the time of the inspection.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance.

This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence.

People using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a period domestic style property. It was registered for the support of up to nine people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other larger domestic homes of a similar size.

There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.

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

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good.

People living at the home benefitted from individualised care and support. Seabank House had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. People told us they truly thought of it as their home. There were no set routines and people’s choices dictated the course of the day.

The philosophy of the service was to empower people to develop their standing in their community. People were supported and encouraged by staff to be a part of both their local and wider community. The home was situated close to public transport links and good local amenities, meaning it was easier for people to access their community.

People received care and support from staff who were genuinely caring and compassionate and were supported by staff who were familiar to them. Many staff had worked at the home for a long time and had formed strong relationships with the people they supported.

Staff provided care and support in a dignified way and with consideration. Staff took care to encourage and maintain people’s independence as far as possible.

People were supported in such a way that allowed them 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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff were well supported in their role with appropriate training and supervision. Staff had also received additional training to meet the specific needs of the people they were caring for.

Checks and audits were carried out to determine the quality and safety of the care and support being provided. Risk to people was appropriately assessed and measures were put in place to support people safely, whilst still respecting their freedom.

Feedback about the management of the service from people, their relatives and staff was positive.

The registered manager and registered provider had met their legal requirements with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They promoted person centred care and transparency within the service.

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

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection, the service was rated "Good." (Report published June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the rating of the last inspection.

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.