The Old School House

Updated 24 May 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has 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 6 April 2022 and was announced from the car park.

Updated 24 May 2022

About the service

The Old School House is a residential care home providing personal care to 33 older people. People who live at this home receive support with complex needs associated with their diagnosis of dementia. The service can support up to 40 people.

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

The environment at the Old School House was exceptional. Further improvements had been made to enhance the facilities for people to meet their daily life needs. The service was particularly suited to people with dementia. Staff training, support and innovative working followed, and challenged best practice to help people overcome fears and anxieties. The provider had active links, sharing information and best practice with leading experts in dementia care.

Care and support was delivered following legislation and national guidance. Where people showed behaviours that challenged or were resistant to assistance they were supported using low-level distractions which enabled staff to maintain their dignity and personal cares.

Staff were very well trained and experienced in identifying and responding to any changes in behaviour. People were supported according to their own expectations and abilities. This encouraged and supported their independence and freedoms. Many positive outcomes were evidenced for people and staff told us they were motivated by the positive impact the service had on people’s lives.

All feedback received about the support provided to people was extremely positive. People received high-quality, personalised support from regular and committed staff. Recruitment checks were in place. Staff had received training and support to enable them to carry out their role. Further staff training encouraged promotional prospects and included champion roles to guide and support other staff to follow best practice. Healthcare professionals felt staff were excellently trained.

The provider had a positive ‘can do’ attitude to support known risks where people accessed the community. People enjoyed time with supporting partners who encouraged dementia friendly visits. This included local cinemas, cafes and garden centres. Staff were led by an activities team and completed fund raising events which were supported by people at the home. People were engaged with a range of innovative activities which lead to many positive outcomes.

Staff clearly understood the importance of supporting people to live in a dignified manner. We observed many positive interactions where staff provided people with gentle reassurance, guidance and where required, a comforting hug.

People received a detailed assessment to ensure the service was suitable for them and able to meet their needs. Care planning was robustly recorded on an electronic i-care system, and information was instantly accessible for staff which led to person centred care and support. A range of initiatives were in place to celebrate people’s ‘life-stories’. Staff used associated information to hold meaningful discussions with people which led to effective supporting relationships.

The provider completed regular checks to assure the quality of the service. Input and feedback were sought in a variety of ways and used to encourage further innovative practice.

The service completed a range of checks to certify and maintain the safety of the service, equipment and the environment. Staff received appropriate training to safeguard people from avoidable abuse. Systems and processes encouraged the reporting of any incidents for further investigations. Outcomes were routinely used to improve the service for the benefit of everyone.

People received their medicines safely as prescribed. Systems, processes and oversight ensured medicine management and administration followed best practice guidance and staff had the required skills and knowledge to provide this support.

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 practice.

Passionate and forward-thinking managers led and provided an inclusive service that engaged proactively with people, their relatives and the staff team.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at http://www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Outstanding (published 18 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.