We carried out a review of the data available to us about Newhaven Care on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Newhaven Care, you can give feedback on this service.
Provide a brief overview of the service (e.g. Type of care provided, size, facilities, number of people using it, whether there is or should be a registered manager etc).
N.B. If there is or should be a registered manager include this statement to describe what a registered manager is:
‘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.’
Give a summary of your findings for the service, highlighting what the service does well and drawing attention to areas where improvements could be made. Where a breach of regulation has been identified, summarise, in plain English, how the provider was not meeting the requirements of the law and state ‘You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.’ Please note that the summary section will be used to populate the CQC website. Providers will be asked to share this section with the people who use their service and the staff that work at there.
The inspection took place on 16 March 2015 and was unannounced. The service is a domestic style property in a quiet residential area, which provides accommodation and personal care for up to 14 people who have a learning disability. The home had been owned by the same family for more than 20 years and had a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
There was a small team of ten staff, all of whom had completed a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in care at level 2, 3 or 4. During our visit we saw that there were enough staff to support people and meet their needs, and everyone we spoke with considered there were enough staff. The staff had received training about safeguarding and about a range of other subjects relevant to their work. Most people had lived at Newhaven Care for many years since leaving hospital accommodation and most members of staff had worked there for a long time.
We saw that the home was clean and well-maintained. Records we looked at showed that required safety checks for gas, electric, and fire safety were carried out. We found that medicines were managed safely and records confirmed that people received the medication prescribed by their doctor.
People were registered with a local GP practice and had an annual health check carried out by the primary care team. People had access to community health services including chiropody and dentistry. District nurses supported people who had health needs. The home also received support from community mental health services. The care plans we looked at gave details of people’s health needs and medication, and information about the person’s life and their preferences. People had a 'Health Passport' that gave information about their special needs and could be used by medical services such as doctor, dentist or hospital staff. A daily diary was kept for each person and recorded what they had done and how they had been feeling each day.
The home had use of a minibus and people who wished to went out to use leisure facilities in the
community including the local theatre. People were encouraged to complete satisfaction surveys and we saw that people who lived at the home who were able, relatives, and visiting professionals had completed questionnaires. The expert by experience considered “All in all I felt that it was a good home and that they looked after the residents well.”
'They treat him very well, they are very good to him. He would tell me if there were any problems and I can speak to Cathy (the manager) any time.'
We spoke with a consultant psychiatrist who told us that they had a number of patients from Newhaven Care over the years. They considered that the manager and staff were very good and always brought relevant information to appointments. They had no concerns about the support people received at this care home.
We spoke with one person who lived at the home and another who was having a respite stay there. They both told us that the staff were very kind to them and spent time talking to them and listening to their worries.
People's medicines were well managed to ensure that they always received what was prescribed by their doctor.
All of the staff working at the home had a national vocational qualification and received regular training relevant to their work.
Most of the people who lived at Newhaven Care did not communicate verbally but it was apparent that the staff had developed methods of communication including pictures, gestures, touch that enabled them to understand people's needs. All staff had recently completed the Northern Council for Further Education level 2 certificate in Equality and Diversity.
Some people had regular contact with their families and we saw some written comments from relatives of people who lived at the home. These included 'Thank you for all the care and dedication you have given to M to ensure her well-being over the years, she could not have been in better hands. We really appreciate all that you have done to make her life comfortable.'
A letter from a relative of a person who had respite care at the home said 'Thank you for all the care you give to X. She is so much happier going to you for respite. This means so much to me to have peace of mind once again.'
'My sister has been a resident of Newhaven Care for many years during which time she has always received an excellent standard of care. The staff are always courteous, friendly, helpful and very professional.
During my regular visits I am always greeted with a friendly smile, a cup of tea and a chat to bring me up to date on any changes to her well-being. If the need arises they will contact me promptly by phone and explain any changes that have occurred.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for the care and attention they give which is often over and above what they are required to give.'
'I am more than happy with the care and attention my relative receives. He seems very happy there. I am very happy with the excellent ethic of the manager. The only reservation I have is that he only goes to the day centre twice a week and needs further therapy to occupy him. Everything else seems very good.'
'I have always been given full cooperation from the manager, keyworker and staff. Visiting times are not stipulated so I have always dropped in unannounced and have no complaints regarding the care, love and commitment my relative receives from the manager and staff. My relative has been with Newhaven for 17 years and on my visits I have always found the environment to be clean and happy and her appearance has always been appropriate for her needs. She has choices and preferences for example she likes to go swimming, to soft play and minibus rides and in the past she went horse-riding. She has the privacy, dignity and independence a woman of her age would have. I have full confidence in the manager and staff.'
'Our relative displays challenging behaviour but with continuity of care and good practices within the staff we know she is given the best care. Your staff address her needs and show love and affection to her, which she also gives in return. She loves nothing better than one to one attention and your staff are always willing to oblige. Her health needs are always accommodated. Staff are always aware and alert and show a high level of understanding towards these issues. The staff always ensure that her needs are met promptly and confidently and also respectfully.
Communication is excellent and I am always well informed about her well being. We are always made welcome. It is a clean and pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike.'
One of the people who lives at the home told us that he has regular contact with his family and they all came to the home for his 50th birthday party. He also has some overnight stays with them. He likes to help in the garden and with baking. Following a review, and discussion with the day centre staff, he is going to have a work placement in a local park and he said that he is looking forward to this and has got a visibility jacket.
We spoke with a health professional who provides support for the people living at Newhaven Care. She told us that 'whatever you suggest they are always willing to try'. They are 'spot on' with making sure that people's health needs are addressed. She has no concerns at all about the service and feels that they ensure the people who live there are healthy. She was impressed by the way that the staff supported one another and supported the residents when one of the people who lived at the home died last year.
We received written comments from the Health and Social Care Assessor who is working with the home's staff doing NVQ. In a letter addressed to the home manager she wrote:
'We have worked with you on so many occasions in the past with so many of your employees. I would like to thank you for the help and support you have given to me and to your own staff. I am aware of how much you are dedicated to ensuring that all of your team are fully trained and qualified and it has been a pleasure to work with you in developing the potential of all your staff. You have always made me very welcome and provided any facilities that were needed to ensure the smooth running of the training programme.
All of your staff that I have worked with previously have achieved their qualification and received their certificates and this is largely due to the support, advice and dedication you and your senior staff gave during the training programme. I truly admire the culture of stressing the importance of training, development and progression that exists throughout Newhaven Care.'